Rachel V Zenyatta could happen !

Rachel Alexandra set to run at Saratoga


USA: Rachel Alexandra will return to Grade 1 company for the first time this year on her next start, which has been confirmed as the Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on August 29.

Owner Jess Jackson revealed his choice of the $300,000 event for fillies and mares in a press release issued to American agencies on Friday.

"Rachel feels very much at home among the great Saratoga fans," Jackson said. "It's an historic race, named after a great champion.

"The timing is right for Rachel," Jackson added. "She's been coming back into her stride and this will help her prepare for the rest of her campaign and the Breeders' Cup later this year."

After being defeated at long odds-on on her first two outings this year, Rachel Alexandra has won her last two starts, latterly scoring at Monmouth Park last weekend.

She is stabled with trainer Steve Asmussen's string at Saratoga, where last season she won the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes.

The Personal Ensign will be the four-year-old's first attempt at 1m2f.

"The whole team is excited to have Rachel back at Saratoga preparing for this Grade 1 race," Asmussen said, speaking to the Daily Racing Form.

"We all love the track and the fans at Saratoga, perhaps none more than Rachel herself."

Zenyatta takes unbeaten record to 18 at Del Mar

Report: USA, Saturday

Del Mar: Clement L Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) 1m½f, AW, 3yo+ f/m

THE brilliant Zenyatta (John Shirreffs/Mike Smith) took her unbeaten record to 18 when she completed a hat-trick in the Clement L Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Saturday.

Settled as usual in fifth of a six-runner field for the $300,000 event, the Breeders' Cup Classic winner hit the front earlier than usual after easily making up ground rounding the far turn.

Useful front-runner Rinterval was allowed to set easy early fractions - the slowest of Zenyatta's 18-race career - prompting jockey Mike Smith to make a move five wide turning for home.

The celebrated daughter of Street Cry soon took the lead in the stretch, only for 11-1 second favourite Rinterval to stick on in determined fashion in the final furlong.

Although Zenyatta always just held the upper hand, she had just a neck in hand at the wire as she recorded the 12th Grade 1 success of her career.

Princess Taylor took third ahead of Spring Style.

Race Replay

what an amazing horse, 18 from 18, that's just unreal.-D

Match race with Hear the Drums .....................lol

Rachel Alexandra set for Saratoga Sunday clash

USA: Rachel Alexandra will step back into Grade 1 company for the first time this season at Saratoga on Sunday in the Personal Ensign Stakes, the feature event on the second day of a weekend full of top-class action in the States.

However, the American horse of the year, who has won her two most recent starts, may not have things all her own way as her rivals in the $300,000 contest will be headed by Life At Ten, a Grade 1 winner chasing her seventh successive victory.

Rachel Alexandra completed her preparations for the 1m2f contest on Monday when she breezed four furlongs on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track under Shaun Bridgmohan.

She completed the drill in 48.89s, the second fastest time of 14 workouts at the distance.

"With her, you're very careful with the rhythm she gets into to start off," said trainer Steve Asmussen.

"She's very strong and very physical and likes to do quite a bit. I think Shaun has done a great job with her, getting her away from the pole smoothly. And once she's into a rhythm I think it's been pretty good from there."

Trainer Todd Pletcher is targeting Rachel Alexandra with Life At Ten. "She's in very good form right now, and she's obviously on a winning streak," he said.

"I think her races this year have been better than some have given her credit for, but I also think it's a very, very tall order to take on Rachel Alexandra."

Pletcher willbe represented by Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver in a strong field for the $1m Travers Stakes on Saturday, where the ‘midsummer derby' is one of three Grade 1s on the best card of the meeting.

"I believe the Haskell has moved him forward," said the trainer. "And I would expect an improved performance from him in what appears to be a wide-open race."

Rivals will include the horses who finished second in all three legs of the Triple Crown: Ice Box (Kentucky Derby), First Dude (Preakness) and Fly Down (Belmont).

On the other side of the country, Del Mar also hosts its signature race on Saturday with the Pacific Classic, in which 2008 Racing Post Trophy winner Crowded House will have his second outing in California in a $1m event headed by last year's winner Richard's Kid and Hollywood Gold Cup hero Awesome Gem.

On the same card, the Grade 1 Pat O'Brien features the return of Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Kinsale King after his visit to Britain this summer, where he was such a good third to Starspangledbanner in the Golden Jubilee.

Scenic Blast, who won the King's Stand at Royal Ascot last year for Australia, is set to step up in trip for the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile.

Rachel Alexandra back in Grade 1 company

RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Steve Asmussen/Calvin Borel) finally returns to the top level on Sunday after finding her touch in the lower leagues when she bids for her first Grade 1 victory of a stuttering season at Saratoga.

'America's Sweetheart' faces only four rivals in the Personal Ensign - but the reigning horse of the year must answer at least a couple of serious questions in the $300,000 event.

Calvin Borel retains the ride on Rachel Alexandra, who is odds-on favourite with British bookmakers Coral.

Coral: 8-13 Rachel Alexandra, 15-8 LifeAt Ten, 11 Miss Singhsix, 25 Persistently, Classofsixtythree

Barry owns the 3rd Fav goodluck to her

Will play a boxed quartet (tu)

half mile run easy fractions but being hounded

1200 m in 112 mmmm to quick

thumped.............