BALTIMORE, MD – Rachel Alexandra stamped herself as one of the greatest fillies to ever step onto a racetrack with a daring wire-to-wire score in the G1 Preakness over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird at Pimlico on Saturday.

"This is the greatest horse I've ever been on in my life," said winning jockey Calvin Borel, who became the first jockey to take off the Derby winner to ride another horse in the Preakness.

Throughout the week, many pondered how the Preakness would play out on the track but Borel didn’t keep them wondering for long as he sent Rachel Alexandra immediately to the lead from her outside post. After tussling with the speedy Big Drama through a :23 opening quarter and sharp :46 3/5 half mile, the superfilly gradually edged clear.

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Approaching the far turn, with six furlongs in the books in a legitimate 1:11, Borel gave Rachel Alexandra her cue and she quickly opened up a three length lead as the field turned for home. Big Drama was done, as was Friesan Fire who chased the pace down the backside to finish 10th in another sub-par performance.

Musket Man threatened along the inside ever so briefly before the Hollywood script began playing out as Mine That Bird started a furious rally down the center of the course under new rider Mike Smith. But Rachel Alexandra had done too much and held off Mine That Bird by a length in front of 77,850 screaming and adoring fans. Musket Man held on for show, a ½ length behind Mine That Bird.

Her former connections said that they’d never run Rachel Alexandra against colts. Soon after her purchase by Jess Jackson of Curlin fame for a reported $10 million, she was considered a shoo-in to run in the Preakness.

"It took some guts to do so," said her new trainer Steve Asmussen, who also trained Curlin for Jackson to win the 2007 Preakness among other races. "Mr. Jackson was rewarded for faith, stepped up and gave her a chance.”

Rachel Alexandra completed the 1 3/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:55. Flying Private was fourth and was followed, in order, by Big Drama, Papa Clem, Terrain, Luv Gov, General Quarters, Friesan Fire, Pioneerof the Nile, Tone It Down, and Take the Points.

Rachel Alexandra paid $5.60 as the favorite to win. The exacta with Mine That Bird returned $39.20 while the trifecta rounded out by Musket Man came back $216.20. The $1 million guaranteed all stakes Pick Four that ended with the Preakness paid $130.40

Like after her Oaks win many began to wonder what might have been had her former connections run her in the Derby. Yesterday, another question permeated the minds as well – will the Derby winner and Preakness winner rematch in the Belmont Stakes?

Both parties say that if their horses come out of the Preakness well, they’ll be back in the Big Apple for another go at each other.

Forget about pondering and wondering. If you’re a horse racing fan, that’s something to dream about.

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