Preakness blockbuster

The Maryland Jockey Club has a potential blockbuster brewing for the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico this Saturday with the news champion filly Rachel Alexandra will be a late entry for the second leg of the US Triple Crown.

New owners Stonestreet Stables moved the unbeaten filly to Steve Asmussen’s stable after her 20 length romp in the Kentucky Oaks.  Asmussen trained 2007 Preakness winner Curlin for a partnership that included Stonestreet.

The bay filly will be the first Kentucky Oaks winner to ever to run in the Preakness.  Four fillies have beaten the colts at Pimlico but none since Nellie Morse in 1924.

Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) is scheduled to fly into Baltimore this Wednesday if she is given the green light after working at Churchill Downs on Monday morning.

“Our intention will be to run her in the Preakness,” Stonestreet owner Jess Jackson said.  “She’s in perfect condition.”

The Maryland Jockey Club expects a field of 13 for the 134th running of the 1900m classic at Pimlico Race Course.  “We are excited at the prospect of seeing the first four finishers from the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the superstar filly in the Preakness,” President Tom Chuckas said.  “We could be looking at one for the ages.”

Jockey Calvin Borel will remain the rider on Rachel Alexandra if she starts in the Preakness.  It’s the first time in Preakness history that a rider has jumped off the Kentucky Derby winner.

Borel piloted Mine That Bird (Birdstone) to victory but trainer Chip Woolley Jr. knows that he will side with the filly.  “I do have a backup,” he said.  “But I am not ready to release it.”