Rachel Alexandra has become the first filly for 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown, at Pimlico racecourse in Baltimore. Having been near the front throughout, she held off a dramatic late challenge by Mine That Bird, who had won the Kentucky Derby a fortnight ago.
Sent off the 7-4 favourite after her astonishing 20-length success in the Kentucky Oaks, Rachel Alexandra was reunited with Calvin Borel, the jockey who had ridden her to that victory. Borel turned down the chance to ride Mine That Bird, on whom he had caused a 50-1 shock in the Derby, and his faith proved justified, albeit by a margin of only one length.
The race may have made difficult viewing for Dolphus Morrison and Mike Lauffer, the owners who sold the winner to Jess Jackson for an undisclosed sum after her Oaks success. But, had it not been for that sale, the filly would not have lined up here, as her previous owners did not believe in taking on colts with her, which was the reason she did not take part in the Derby.
Though she was drawn widest of all in stall 13, Rachel Alexandra was soon up with the early pace, while Mine That Bird was left behind, trailing the entire field, just as he had at Churchill Downs. His victory there has widely been regarded as a fluke, assisted by a dirt track made sloppy by rain, but he produced a similar, sustained run here to pass every other runner but one.
But Mike Smith, Mine That Bird's new rider, was unable to find the same charmed run up the inside rail that Borel had followed in Kentucky. Instead, Smith was forced to switch four horses wide off the final turn.
"I thought I had a shot at the three pole," Smith said. "I thought, if that filly melts a little bit, I'll catch her." But Rachel Alexandra held on to claim first prize of £458,000.
Both horses will now be trained for what should be a thrilling rematch in the Belmont Stakes in New York on 6 June, when the extra quarter-mile around a testing circuit might be thought to favour Mine That Bird. Musket Man, third in the Derby, was third again after having every chance.