2009 Preakness Stakes Recap and Analysis
by Patricia Woo | May 19 2009
The buildup to the
134th Preakness Stakes featured an abundance of drama off the track. But once the gates flew open for the start of the second leg of the Triple Crown series on Saturday, May 16, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., all the drama any horse racing fan could want was on the track. With a field that featured Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra and
Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, along with a slew of potential upsetters, the stage was set for a thrilling 2009 Preakness Stakes.
As many predicted, 2009 Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel, went straight to the front of the pack. She was followed quickly by Big Drama, David Fawkes' charge, who'd had to be backed out of the gate and reloaded. The two duked it out through six furlongs, when Rachel Alexandra finally found her higher gear and began to pull away. At the same time, Mine That Bird began to roll from the back of the back, with jockey Mike Smith taking advantage of his mount's small size and finding room between horses. And Musket Man, beneath Eibar Coa, also shook free of the pack. But it was Mine That Bird who launched a furious bid for the lead in the stretch run that put him within striking distance. But he ran out of track, and Rachel Alexandra, who had a clear line to the finish, prevailed by a length. Her winning time over the fast 1 3/16-mile track was 1:55.08.
Closing out the order of finish: Musket Man, Flying Private, Big Drama, Papa Clem, Terrain, Luv Gov, General Quarters, Friesan Fire, Pioneerof the Nile, Tone it Down and Take the Points.
Rachel Alexandra's win put her in the history books: She is the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924. And she is the first horse to win the Kentucky Oaks and the Preakness Stakes. Her win earned her $1.1M for owner Jess Jackson, who acquired Rachel Alexandra after the Kentucky Oaks from Dolphus Morrison, who did not believe in running fillies against colts. "Gender doesn't matter," Jackson said after the Preakness. "If a filly is as good as the colts, they ought to compete. I'm delighted that our decision was vindicated." Jockey Calvin Borel, who has now won the 2009 Kentucky Oaks, Derby and Preakness, had the highest praise for his mount: "This is the greatest horse I've ever been on in my life."
As for runner-up Mine That Bird, his connections felt their own vindication after the 50-1 Kentucky Derby longshot winner put in a tremendous Preakness performance. Trainer Chip Woolley said: "We're thrilled to death with him. He ran a huge race."
Mine That Bird is now pointed to the
Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown, where he may get a rematch against Rachel Alexandra. The Belmont Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 6, at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY.
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