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Haskin's Analysis: Rachel Not the Same

It was obvious watching Rachel on Saturday that this was not the same filly we saw last year, at least not right now.

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Rachel Alexandra Out of Apple Blossom

Jess Jackson, principal owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, announced March 14 that the 4-year-old filly will not face Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park April 9.

Zardana Stuns Rachel in Her Season Debut

Rachel Alexandra was stunned by Zardana, who tackled the reigning Horse of the Year at the top of the stretch and outdueled the heavy favorite to win by three parts of a length in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes.

Average Grows 9.3% at F-T Juvenile Sale

The Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training March 2 was as refreshing as a cool ocean breeze on a hot summer day, providing the recession-battered Thoroughbred auction business with some relief.

Rachel, Zenyatta Work Toward 2010 Debuts

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra posted her fourth workout of 2010 when she covered five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Fair Grounds while Zenyatta drilled six furlongs in 1:14 over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park.

Rachel Vs. Zenyatta Showdown is Back On

Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella said the owners of both champions agreed Feb. 11 to run their horses in the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap (gr. I) on a new date of April 9, for a $5 million purse.

Rachel Works; Pointed Toward FG Stakes

Majority owner Jess Jackson told Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots officials Rachel Alexandra is being pointed toward the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles March 13.

Rachel Alexandra Won't Run in Apple Blossom

Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra won't run against undefeated champion Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom (gr. I), but he proposed a three-race series in which the two talented female runners would meet.

Rachel Alexandra in 4F Move at Fair Grounds

In her second work of the week, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra breezes four furlongs in :50 3/5 Feb. 6 in New Orleans.

$5 Million Lure to Get Rachel, Zenyatta

Oaklawn Park president Charles J. Cella has upped the purse of the April 3 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) to $5 million provided champions Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both start.

Oaklawn Park to Announce 'Race for the Ages'

Fueling speculation that it is setting the stage for a first-ever matchup between Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and champion older mare Zenyatta, Oaklawn Park will announce "A Race for the Ages."

Rachel Alexandra Has First Breeze at FG

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra recorded her first work since winning the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5.

Curlin's Fee Reduced to $40,000

The 2010 stud fee for two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who stands at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., has been reduced to $40,000.

Eclipse Awards: Event Full of Grace, History

Rachel Alexandra gets the main prize, but partisan crowd shows admiration for both at the 2009 Eclipse Awards.

Rachel Alexandra Named Horse of the Year

Super filly Rachel Alexandra tops Zenyatta in Horse of the Year balloting.

2009 Eclipse Awards Ceremony

A few images from the 2009 Eclipse Awards ceremony.

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Champion 3YO Female: Rachel Alexandra

After trouncing her own division, filly stepped out to beat the boys in the grade I BlackBerry Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward Stakes.

Rachel Wins NYRA 'Story of the Year'

Rachel Alexandra's extraordinary victory in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga has been voted by fans as NYRA's 2009 "Story of the Year."

FG Creates Race to Lure Rachel Alexandra

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has put together a $200,000 stakes race for older fillies and mares in hopes of luring Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra for her 2010 debut.

Trainer Wiggins Goes Out a Winner at 26-1

With his final starter as a trainer Nov. 27, Hal Wiggins watched as Robert V. Hovelson's High Spirit closed from far back to win Churchill Downs' 10th race by a nose and pay $55.60 under Terry Thompson.

Visit With Rachel Alexandra to be Auctioned

A personal visit with superstar filly Rachel Alexandra goes on the auction block tomorrow as the grand final item in Kendall-Jackson's "Rachel Alexandra Running Auction," benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The auction will end after seven days at noon, Nov. 4.

It's Official: Rachel Done Until 2010

Star filly Rachel Alexandra is finished racing for the year, co-owner Jess Jackson announced Oct. 9.

Rachel Alexandra Back at Churchill Downs

Leading Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra returned to her home base at Churchill Downs Oct. 7 and settled into familiar surroundings in trainer Steve Asmussen's Barn 38 following a long van ride from Saratoga, where she spent much of the summer and the early days of fall.

'Rachel's Race Items Benefit Cancer Research

Michael O'Toole, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, submitted the winning bid for the three pairs of racing goggles worn by jockey Calvin Borel as he rode super filly Rachel Alexandra to victory in the Haskell Stakes-her second of three wins over the colts in her historic 2009 campaign.

Jackson Reaffirms No Breeders' Cup for Rachel

The Breeders' Cup board of directors Sept. 11 said the organization will increase the purse of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by $1 million if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start in the 1 1/4-mile event Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park.

Countdown to the Cup: Rachel Rocks the Spa

Rachel Alexandra provided one of the great moments in the history of Saratoga when she scored a courageous head victory over older male rivals in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes Sept. 5.

Rachel Doing Well Day After Woodward

Standing outside his barn at Saratoga the morning of Sept. 6, trainer Steve Asmussen was still basking in the glow of Rachel Alexandra's historic victory in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) as he reported the filly came out of the race in good shape.

Hot Dixie Chick Makes Bold Statement

Odds-on favorite Hot Dixie Chick served notice that she is among the elite 2-year-old fillies in the land, as she put away a pair of rivals in upper stretch and glided home for a 1 3/4-length score in the $300,000 Spinaway (gr. I) Sept. 6 at Saratoga.

Rachel Holds Off Macho Again in Woodward

Rachel Alexandra cemented herself as one of the best fillies of all-time in a race for the ages, as she set a suicidal pace and then was all out under Calvin Borel to hold off a bold charge from Macho Again to win the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) by a head in electrifying fashion Sept. 5 at Saratoga.

Rachel to Face 7 Males in Historic Woodward

On Sept. 5 at Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra will seek history when trying to become the first female to win the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) -- a feat that would almost certainly lock up Horse of the Year honors and stamp the 3-year-old as one of the best fillies of all time.

Rachel's Options Open After Woodward

Majority owner Jess Jackson said on a national teleconference Sept. 1 that plans for Rachel Alexandra following Saturday's $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) are up in the air, and he did not dismiss the idea of putting her away for the year.

And They're Off: August 26, 2009 (Video)

Topics include Rachel Alexandra and Jess Jackson, the continued breakdowns at Del Mar, plus a look at the second season of Animal Planet's hit reality program, JOCKEYS.

NYRA Joins Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta Bidding

Online wagering companies TVG and Betfair have pledged an additional $400,000 to the New York Racing Association to invite Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta to participate in the Beldame Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 3.

Wiggins to Retire After Churchill Meet

After training horses for more three decades and having his career peak this year with the success of the sensational filly Rachel Alexandra, Hal Wiggins will ride off into the sunset of retirement at the end of Churchill Downs' fall meet in November.

'Rachel' Breezes at Spa; Next Start Unknown

Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in her first work at Saratoga Race Course the morning of Aug. 11 in preparation for her as-yet-to-be-determined next start, covering a half-mile in :50.72 under exercise rider Dominic Terry.

Rachel Alexandra Gets Her Own Vintage

Superstar Rachel Alexandra will be honored with her own line of limited wines, which will be available during the holiday season.

Rachel Alexandra Routs Boys in Haskell Slop

Rachel Alexandra turned in yet another dominating performance in a campaign for the ages when she captured the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park Aug. 2.

Kensei Much the Best in Jim Dandy

Kensei notched his second straight grade II score Aug. 1 in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, as he pulled away from Warrior's Reward in the stretch for a convincing victory under Edgar Prado.

Hot Dixie Chick Romps in Schuylerville

Favored Hot Dixie Chick showed she was more than a speed freak in the $111,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III), rating patiently just off the pace before grabbing the lead and then pulling away to a 6 1/4 length victory July 29, the opening day of the Saratoga meeting in upstate New York.

Rachel's Halter Sold in Online Auction

The training halter worn by Rachel Alexandra prior to her historic victory in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was purchased by an Ohio man for $2,859.99 in an online auction that will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Jackson Adamant: No Breeders' Cup for Rachel

Jess Jackson might as well have said "read my lips," when he stated emphatically on a national teleconference July 28 that Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Breeders' Cup, regardless of how much pressure is put on him.

Rachel Alexandra Headed to Haskell

The winner of the BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) is in top condition and ready for the $1 million, grade I stakes Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park, which could include Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird.

Rachel Alexandra in Bullet Work at Saratoga

BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra worked five furlongs in 1:01.38 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Racecourse July 13.

Jackson Buys Another Medaglia d'Oro Filly

California vintner Jess Jackson has privately acquired the Medaglia d'Oro filly Dashing Debby, who won her career debut, the July 11 J J'sdream Stakes at Calder Race Course, in commanding fashion by 10 1/4 lengths.

Kensei in Dwyer Upset; Warrior's Reward 3rd

Kensei, ridden by Edgar Prado and trained by Steve Asmussen, made a powerful move on the far turn en route to an impressive 3 1/4-length victory in the 92nd running of the grade II, $200,000 Dwyer at Belmont Park on the July 4 holiday card.

'Rachel' Sets Stakes Record in Mother Goose

Rachel Alexandra faced only two opponents in the $300,000 Mother Goose (gr. I) June 27 at Belmont Park but the sensational filly put on a dazzling display anyway, setting a stakes record while romping by nearly 20 lengths under Calvin Borel.

'Rachel' Faces Only Four in Mother Goose

Rachel Alexandra, who when last seen was making history by winning the May 16 BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I), will make her return to the racetrack in the $300,000 Mother Goose (gr. I) June 27 at Belmont Park. The Horse of the Year candidate will face only four rivals in the nine-furlong test for 3-year-old fillies.

No Breeders' Cup for Rachel Alexandra

Stonestreet Stables' Jess Jackson, majority owner of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra, said in a wide-ranging media teleconference June 24 that the superb filly would not race in this year's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita but that there is a good possibility that she would return in 2010 for a 4-year-old campaign.

Rachelmania: Free Admission, Pink Bracelets

When Rachel Alexandra makes her Belmont Park debut in the 53rd renewal of the $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) June 27, the New York Racing Association will give away pink bracelets embossed with the filly's name and admission for ladies will be free.

Rachel Alexandra to 'Race For a Cure'

Rachel Alexandra, who last month became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness (gr. I), will "race for a cure" for the remainder of her 2009 campaign. A $20,000 donation to a breast cancer nonprofit, the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure, from the Jackson Family Fund at the Blue Grass Community Foundation, will be the inaugural contribution.