Rachel Alexandra workout 8/24

Rachel Alexandra will attempt to make history again as she takes on older males for the first time in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, September 5, trainer Steve Asmussen announced Monday.

Jess Jacksons 3-year-old filly, a leading contender for Horse of the Year after having twice defeated colts in the Preakness and Haskell Invitational, is attempting to become the first female to win the 1 1/8th mile Woodward, won last year by Jacksons two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

In light of the historic significance of the race, The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has raised the purse for the 1 1/8th mile Woodward from $500,000 to $750,000.

"Raising the Woodward purse will help attract a top field to what will be a historic race," said NYRA Vice President and Director of Racing P.J. Campo. "In addition, we felt that to have a filly like Rachel Alexandra seeking to become the first ever female to win the Woodward warranted an increase in purse."

Asmussen, accompanied by Jacksons wife, Barbara Banke, made the announcement after Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:11.84 over a muddy main track at Saratoga, ending speculation she would face 3-year-old colts again in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers on Saturday or older fillies in the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign the following day.

Instead, her stablemate, Jacksons Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner Kensei, who worked a half-mile in 50.00, will start in the 1¼ mile Shadwell Travers.

Given how well Kensei was doing, I thought he deserved a chance in the Travers, said Asmussen. It would be a race that would mark his career and with that decision, Rachel will be pointed towards the Woodward.

With regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard, and jockey Calvin Borel watching from the grandstand, NYRA clockers caught the daughter of Medaglia dOro in splits of 24.27, 36.23, 47.86 and 59.60, galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.58.

It was awesome, said Terry. Shes amazing.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• rachel
• alexandra
• horse
• racing
• workout
• nyra
• saratoga
• woodward
• steve
• asmussen
• dominick
• terry
• calvin
• borel
• jess
• jackson

[LeeAnne151]

Rachel wins the Woodward!

[AlukaKaiserin]

i was in saratoga on August 20th and i got to watch her work at the Oklahoma track, then go back to the barn with her and watch her cool out. i was FIVE FEET FROM HER. it was incredible to be so close to such a great filly. probably the best hour or so of my life.

[AlukaKaiserin]

i have to agree. i was impressed by summer bird's victory, but Rachel beat him running away in the haskell...i really don't think the two of them can be compared. i was surprised that Quality Road didn't give a better showing in the Travers, though.

[continentalvictory]

Not such a career-booster for Kensei yesterday in Travers... RA would've won if she'd been in, although SB was v. good.

[dubby300]

Loving the decision to run her at the spa against older males, I am even more excited that I will be arriving in Albany, NY to be in attendance on Saturday the 5th of September, it will be a historic day and im proud to be apart of such a great day for such a GREAT FILLY.

[hexiconned]

Thanks, nice video. She will be truly tested in the Woodward; I can't wait to see how she does.

[FutureJockey35]

What an amazing filly! She moves with such ease.

-Kayla

[Kagefujin]

Thank you for posting her prepping for the Woodward. I was so looking forward to seeing her run in the Travers with Quality Road.