Preakness possible for $10 million filly
The plot for the second jewel of the Triple Crown just got thicker with the private purchase of Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra by Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables.
The rumored sale price was around $10 million. The filly now becomes a slight possibility to run in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 16.
Even if the price was less, Rachel Alexandra’s victory by more than 20 lengths in the Oaks at Churchill Downs the day before the Kentucky Derby stamped her as one serious racehorse. In fact, there are few racing fans who think 50-1 long-shot Derby winner Mine That Bird is a better horse than Rachel Alexandra.
Rachel Alexandra will switch barns from Hal Wiggins, who developed her, to Steve Asmussen, who trained Horse of the Year Curlin for Jackson. If the filly were to run in the Preakness and/or Belmont Stakes, she would need to be supplemented for $100,000.
If Jackson does put up the money, it makes more sense to run the Belmont. Her high cruising speed and ability to run a distance of ground would be perfect at Belmont Park. She would be following in the footsteps of the filly Rags to Riches, who won the 2007 Belmont. Ironically, Rags to Riches upset Curlin that year in the Belmont.
Mine That Bird’s improbable Kentucky Derby win still has handicapping experts and media scratching their heads. The one thing I can positively pinpoint is giving maximum credit to a breathtaking, rail-skimming, last-to-first ride by jockey Calvin Borel. He really made a difference.
After each race throughout the day at Churchill Downs, ESPN commentators and jockeys, including Julien Leparoux and Robbie Albarado, were saying the rail was the place to be on the main track, and they pointed out how deep and soft the inside was on the turf course. Yet Borel, whose nickname is Bo-rail, was the only rider to take advantage of the inside main-track bias in the Derby.
Mine That Bird is certainly not scaring away any horses from the Preakness. A full field of 14 is possible, including six other Kentucky Derby starters: Friesan Fire, Musket Man, Flying Private, General Quarters, Papa Clem and Pioneerof the Nile. In the Preakness morning line, Mine That Bird would not be favored over them.
In eight days, the question will be answered whether Mine That Bird just caught lightning in a bottle on Derby day or if he is the real deal.
• CONTEST — Fiesta Rancho is hosting a DRF/NTRA Handicapping qualifier today. The entry fee is $25.
Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.