Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Steve Asmussen have confirmed that superfilly Rachel Alexandra will opt for the 2009 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on September 5. There have been many question marks over where Rachel’s next destination will be as many had previously assumed she was being prepped for the Travers Stakes this weekend. Mine That Bird and Summer Bird’s connections will likely be breathing a sigh of relief knowing that the superfilly has opted for the Woodward.
Interestingly enough, should Rachel pull off another astounding victory, many think this could be her all-time greatest triumph. A filly has never won the Grade 1 Woodward and it will be Rachel’s first time running against older colts. While she has successfully taken on the boys in the Haskell Invitational and the Preakness, she has only run against 3 year-olds.
Her latest training session had her pulling a very impressive 1:11.84 over six furlongs. She pulled up a mile in 1:41.89.
The stable has opted to place Jim Dandy and Dwyer winner Kensei in the Travers in lieu of Rachel Alexandra. Edgar Prado is confirmed to ride.
There’s a bit of friction from some horseracing fans that Rachel is being pointed to the Woodward. Frankly, some of them think her Preakness victory flattered to deceive and that the Travers would be a proper test of this filly’s true skill. Personally, I think this is the right option for Rachel at the right time. It’s not like they’re going to retire her at the end of the year, and she has already beaten a number of the runners in the Travers already. I am confiden that she will be listed as the odds-on favourite for the Woodward and she will be the top end of nearly all my exotics on the day.
