You Go, Girl!

Rachel Alexandra broke an 85-year drought for the girls and won the Preakness. While she did not lead exactly from the starting gate, she led most of the way - at least for a mile of the mile and 3/16 race. Mike Smith kept Mine That Bird near the rear of the pack, and no one would open a hole on the rail, so he took the long way around the outside of the field, and finished a hard-driving second, followed by Musket Man and Flying Private. I had chosen Rachel to win with Mine That Bird second... I had no idea how the rest of the field would finish. According to Calvin Borel, Rachel's usual jockey, she was struggling with the track - the footing wasn't to her liking - but she emerged the winner. Calvin struck her twice with the whip during the stretch run, and the rest of the time just sat chilly, winning by a coasting 3/4 length over his mount in the Derby. Mine That Bird showed that he was not a one-race wonder or that his Derby win was a fluke. He ran hard and battled hard - he just didn't have enough to beat the girl. Musket Man's performance showed that he is a true, hard-working guy that will keep grinding on, no matter what. Flying Private was the surprise to me, finishing fourth after his last-place finish in the Derby - but that's why D Wayne Lucas is a trainer, and why I'm not. - The last filly to win the Preakness was Nellie Morse in 1924. You go, girl!!