ALL TOGETHER NOW: Ky. Gov. Steve Beshear speaks to a packed house at Keeneland during an industry rally following the demise of the state's slots bill.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
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.
The race, which began in 1957, was run at 1 1/16 miles for the first two years. Since it changed to 1 1/8 miles in 1959, only Lakeway and Rachel Alexandra have run the Mother Goose in a time under 1:47.19. Only seven fillies have finished in a time better than 1:48.
A 129-pound impost wasn't enough to stop the undefeated champion Zenyatta, who earned a repeat win in the $287,000 Vanity Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park June 27 for her 11th consecutive victory.
The steady veteran Jonesboro angled off the rail for the drive, wore down pacesetting Shadowbdancing in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. II) June 27 in Iowa.
Photo: Jack Coady
Euphony, ridden by Clifton Berry, outfought Bear Now to win the $125,000 Iowa Distaff by one length for her sixth consecutive victory.
Photo: Jack Coady
Fame and Glory, under Johnny Murtagh, gives trainer Aidan O'Brien a record seventh win in the Irish Derby.
Photo: Trevor Jones
Dar Re Mi became the first European horse to qualify for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships following her half-length victory in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I) June 27 at the Curragh.