Asmussen agrees, Rachel not at same place she was last year

Rachel Alexandra, reigning horse of the year was upset on Sunday in the Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga by Persistently, a 4-year-old daughter of Smoke Glacken, who is owned and bred by the Phipps Stable and trained by Shug McGaughey. Rachel Alexandra had never before run 1 1/4 miles, though she did win last year’s Preakness at 1 3/16 miles. Breaking from post 2 under Borel, Rachel Alexandra went to the front and was stalked intently by Life At Ten, who was within one-half length of her through splits of 23.66 seconds, 47.73, and 1:12.02. Life At Ten eventually tired to be third, beaten by 10 1/4 lengths.

It was the third loss for Rachel Alexandra in five starts this year. And it confirmed many people’s suspicions that she is not the same horse who went 8 for 8 last year, beating males three times.


“She isn’t exactly where she was last year and hopefully she can get back there,” said Steve Asmussen, trainer of Rachel Alexandra. For the sake of racing we hope so.

Owned by Jess Jackson, who did not attend the race, issued a statement about the result, but not her future.


“We are disappointed in the result, as we are sure her countless fans are, but we are certainly not disappointed in her,” Jackson said. “She is still a superstar in our hearts and minds. The old sports adage applies …. on any given Sunday, anything can happen.”
 
The $1-million Grade I Pacific Classic was taken again by Richard's Kid on Saturday under Mike Smith who won the race last year for the same connections, trainer Bob Baffert and Mike Smith. This year instead of paying off at 24.40-1, Richard's Kid paid $11.60 to his backers and the 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid was winning for the eighth time from 26 lifetime starts.
 
El Brujo took down the Grade I $300,000 Pat O'Brien under Joel Rosario for trainer Bob Baffert who had a spectacular weekend at the beachside track. returning $9.60 to his backers, the son of Candy Ride ran his rivals off their feet for owner Arnold Zetcher.
 
Sunday's Grade II Del Mar Handicap was won by Champ Pegasus in a perfectly timed ride by Joel Rosario for trainer Richard Mandella for Diamond A Racing Corp and Vargas. The winner paid $5.
 
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