Holy shit! That’s one hell of a horse. That was a joy to watch!
That girl has wings. I loved that she didn’t even work to get that 20 length lead! Calvin Borel was absolutely adorable in the interview, and how cool was it to see that mare run that race on her own, as he said? She is one formidable filly. Look out, boys! :lol:
I’m going to say this right now, and some of you all are going to think that I am crazy for the time being. She is the most talented filly of all time. She ran her final 1/8 in 12 seconds flat without being asked, and that is unheard of. She is a superhorse. It brings tears to my eyes. This horse…I haven’t ever seen a filly like this.
Wow, just wow. I’ll bet all the trainers and owners in the Derby are breathing a sigh of relief that she’s not entered!
If you watched this filly down the home stretch, who did she remind you of? And go back a LONG time…:yes:
I cried.
Per the Daily Racing Form 5-1-09
Even with jockey Calvin Borel never asking her for a semblance of her best, Rachel Alexandra won the Grade 1, $554,500 Oaks by a stunning 20 1/4 lengths, the largest margin since at least 1910, which is as far back as the track’s records go.
On a windy, humid, overcast afternoon, before a crowd of 104,867, the fourth largest in Oaks history, Gabby’s Golden Gal took the early lead from Rachel Alexandra, who was merely galloping on the leader’s outside flank for the opening five furlongs. Into the far turn, Rachel Alexandra eased into a share for the lead, and then just kept going, increasing her margin even with Borel riding high and motionless.
In the unlikely event that Rachel Alexandra is entered for the May 16 Preakness, it would cost the owners a $100,000 supplementary fee.
At least 104,000+ had the chance to see something not likely to be seen again in their lifetime again 
Geez, I was wondering why Bob disappeared at the end of the broadcast…
Neumeier collapses during telecast.
[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4063953]
Geez, I was wondering why Bob disappeared at the end of the broadcast…
Neumeier collapses during telecast.
:([/QUOTE]
NBC spokesman Adam Freifeld said Neumeier “seems to be doing fine” but that he was being held overnight at Audubon Hospital for observation and won’t appear on the network’s Kentucky Derby broadcast today.
Wishing Bob the best
Me too, but I didn’t feel so bad when Calvin was crying too. There aren’t words in me to describe that filly.
The Lexington Herald-Leader had this photo sequence of the Ky Oaks with some nice shots of the field, etc
A follow up article on the little girl who Calvin very kindly greeted just before the race, who got to meet Rachel Alexandra and was given the special pink halter that Rachel wore over to the saddling area, and went to the Oaks winners circle:
Journal Star (IL) June 2, 2009 “Historic run was a dream come true”
When the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois offered to make a dream come true for Rachel [diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder that affects the immune system] it was only natural she would say, “I want to go to the Kentucky Derby.”
Rachel Mattson of Chillicothe and Rachel Alexandra simply had to meet in Wiggins’ barn that day, and so they did.
In Louisville for Derby Week, the family — parents George and Diane, along with Rachel and Eric — toured Churchill Downs. There, they roamed the stables and met Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer of Pioneer of the Nile, one of the pre-race Derby favorites. And they hooked up with Wiggins.
“The way Hal Wiggins took us in was just amazing,” George says. “We got the royal treatment.”
Wiggins invited Rachel to the paddock on the day of the Oaks and told her that if Rachel Alexandra won, he wanted the little girl to join him in the Winner’s Circle. She also met jockey Calvin Borel, who shared a tip with her. “He said, ‘We’re going to win,’” Rachel says.
Wiggins stayed true to his promise. He swept Rachel into his arms and carried her to the winner’s circle for the trophy presentation. He also gave her Rachel Alexandra’s pink leather halter and Borel gave her his goggles.
