Funny story here.. I went to the local barbershop for a haircut and this was on. My wife was pregnant with our daughter who we hadn't picked a name yet. I watched the pre race show and remember them talking about Rachel Alexandra being a favorite. I immediately fell in love with that name. Watched the race was excited by a horse race for the first time in my life. On September 17th, 2010 my wife gave birth to our daughter.. Rachel Alexandra =)
No sir not a fake story. Now that you mention it, you're just clearing up the story for me. I did watch the race at the barber shop the day it happened and I do remember the name. We were trying to conceive but hadn't been succeful. We had names picked out before she was even pregnant. Found out she was pregnant in January of 2010. I can provide a birth certificate if you like
Had my dates mixed up. But yes I first heard the name Rachel Alexandra while watching the Preakness so while trying to conceive we had settled and that name for a girl and mine for a boy. Didn't seem like that long before she actually got pregnant but apparently it was.
This is honestly some of THE GREATEST ANNOUNCING OF ALL TIME, I still watch this over 10 years later because it gets me so JACKED UP, Tom Durkin we need you back!
At that time i didn’t realize it either. Mind you I missed her Kentucky oaks win by like (what looked to be) 20 lengths.. I don’t recall any 3 year old filly winning the Kentucky Oaks by that margin.. She’s a Legend
I was 16 when this race happened. I remember flipping through the channels and seeing the race was about to start. I have never watched a horse race in my life, as all of the horses were walking past when heading to gate, I saw Rachel Alexandra come around and I looked at the TV and said “that horse is going to win”. I knew nothing about racing, but the physique of RA had me stunned... I didn’t know they were the favorite... calling the only horse I have ever watched, based a horse’s look is one of my fondest memories!
Yes, Tom Durkin was awesome for sure. And if you want to hear his "twin" (joke) emotional race caller, listen to Vic Stauffer call Lava Man's (horse) three Hollywood Gold Cup wins (2005, 2006, 2007), especially 2007 finish. Several more Wows! They thrill me anew every time I hear them.
It was announced today that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are going into the Hall of Fame together!I predicted that honor for Rachel after her Kentucky Oaks win, before she ever met or beat the boys. Congratulations to both of these great mares. And condolences to Lane's End Farm and the connections of Zenyatta on the recent loss of her newborn colt by War Front.
@@steveludwig4200 I agree with you (barring a rabbit or otherwise very hot pace). But by the same token, Zenyatta would have destroyed Rachel at 10 furlongs.
This was a redeeming race for Mine That Bird, too, whose Derby victory was dismissed as a fluke, and mostly credited to jockey Calvin Borel. But his incredible run here, second to a filly who proved to be a major champion, was nearly as impressive as his Derby run. And his third place in the Belmont -- after the whole grueling Triple Crown, cemented his reputation as a real runner.
I would've been happy if Mine That Bird had won the Preakness too, but I watched it hoping Rachel Alexandra would win, "AND THE FILLY DID IT!!" Awesome race, really terrific race call, too. Very special to watch:)
Funny enough, Pioneerof the Nile's sire was Empire Maker, the horse that spoiled Funny Cide's bid in 2003. I love that a horse that perpetuated the drought ended up producing the sire of the horse that finally broke it.
The decade of the phillies. 2007 Rags to Riches beat Kentucky Derby Curlin at the Belmont and then 2009 Rachel Alexandra beats Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird at the Preakness. These two phillies are spectacular. Here in the 2020 decade waiting for more strong phillies to win . I hope I get to see in the next decades to come.
+Yogi Guzman first thank you for responding and second you may disagree Mtb is a gelding and has no money in the breeding Market while Ra did and the other owners were jealous he could win the triple crone and Maybe thought they could breed with her
Rachel is the modern day best filly going. Beat my Bird that day but he was coming late. Showed his heart finishing all 3 Triple Crown races in the money.
No. Mine that bird run a 2:02 derby what is very average if you watch the time chart. Not came slow simply slow horses. That year derby was extremely underqualified if you watching a slow derby time also had all the field this behind mine that bird. His awesomeness is in the 50-1 chance not his speed.
What a brave little horse, skimming the rail to win the derby and fighting so hard from the outside like that for 2nd. 50 to 1 is a great story of the underdog. I'll always remember this horse like sea biscuit. Can never forget the immortal Secretariat. big red..
Did you see how Mine That Bird ran past the rest of the field like they were standing still, from last place....again? No credit taken away from the filley but Mine That Bird is FOR REAL. Just wish the jockey would have let him open up just a few seconds earlier. We could possibly be going for a Triple Crown race in Belmont. Either way, the Belmont is going to be a great two-horse face off.
Mind that bird vs Zenyatta . BEST MATCHUP because both of those horses is always last in the beginning to save energy and at the end they go very fast and win.
Give Mind That Bird another 50 yards and that would've been another race under his belt. He definitely had a LOT more. He didn't run outa juice, just ran outa real estate to cover. He was probably running 3 to 5 miles faster than the winner. 50 Yards, and he'd be on his way to a triple crown.. :)
Helen Leslie The speed difference on the final sprint is phenomenal. Mine That Bird is just WAY faster than those other horses coming in the home stretch. I actually blame the jockey on this one for not finding a better open lane and letting Mine That Bird sprint just a second or two earlier....
gallopracerfan Yeah I watched it. The problem with this race was the conditions for Mind That Bird weren't right. Unfortunately, the lead horse coming around with 7 furlongs left was too great so the jockey had to start over taking horses too early. The jockey had talked about that many times in the past. Saying that if Mind That Bird started too early he would not finish strong. This race tells me that the jockey knew this horse very well. Mind That Bird had no final steam coming in from middle position on the final turn. That's just not the way the horse likes to run... I was a track and cross country star as a kid. I made it to the nationals in AAU 3 years in a row as a youngster, and it's funny, I too had a racing pattern. If I were in front position, I'd get gased out and not be able to make a sprint for the final turns. But if I stayed in the second position and waited, I could smoke past the first place guy every time coming into the final two turns on the track. I ran the Mile and 2 Mile back in the day... :) So I kind of understand how that "imagery" or "mental position" is so very crucial for an athlete... :)
+guessimalivinglegend it's only a theory so if it sounds dumb don't get annoyed but during the race mine that bird was held up which is fairly common but I believe most of the colt horse owners had a grudge with mine that bird because he's a gelding and was taking some of their future breeding money and putting it nowhere ,and if a filly won they could try to breed with here possibly (and maybe if he won the triple crown people would expect more from geldings instead of colts) so that's my theory on why he was held up
That's not a stupid theory. I actually thought that, too. (By the way, it's a shame that they gelded him :D) In the final furlong, you can clearly see that Bird is absolutely supreme and if they had unleashed him just some moments sooner, Rachel Alexandra would have been beaten. But they didn't. Ugh. I still love Bird though, he will always be my favorite
I've watched every Kentucky Derby live since 1978 and of course many more on tape but the 2009 Kentucky Derby is the best and most dramatic I've ever seen in my life making it my top Kentucky Derby on my list. Calvin had to make a choice for the Preakness and it must have been very hard for him but it was a no brainer to get on Rachel A. What I'm disappointed about is the fact that the owners of Rachel A. didn't run her in the Kentucky Derby that year since all along we all knew she could beat the boys and then messing up what could have been an historic Belmont Stakes with Mine that Bird going for the Triple Crown and making it the most unlikely horse to win the Triple Crown and rewriting the ending of that great movie. I was there at Churchill Downs watching Mine that Bird beat me out of all my tickets. I backed up the other Bird - Summer Bird - in that race ( he was 50-1 as well) and at the time I was furious but years after, I cannot be any happier to lose to Mine that Bird because he gave me a story of a great underdog that could and the greatest Kentucky Derby that I've ever seen.
Giuseppe Martorna I loved Rachel. I predicted after her 20-length Kentucky Oaks win that she was headed for the Hall of Fame, and I was correct. But I do not think for a moment she would have won either the Derby or the Belmont. Her best distance was 1 1/16 or 1 1/8 miles; she had a tough time in the Preakness as it was, against a not especially strong crop of colts, and that was the longest race she ever won. If you knew "all along" she could beat the boys, good for you. Rachel Alexandra wasn't champion two-year-old filly like Ruffian or Songbird, who were being talked up for the Derby (not that either went) as 2-year-olds. I don't think she had won a G1 event until her Oaks, though she had had some dominating wins. I was unaware of her until she won the Oaks during Derby week -- the same week that her sale by her breeder/owner Dolphus Morrison and his co-owner Michael Lauffer to Stonestreet Stables was announced, with Jess Jackson holding new controlling interest in her. She was, to my understanding, bought primarily as a broodmare prospect for the stable's HOY Curlin. If she had remained owned by Morrison & Lauffer, she definitely would *not* have run in the Preakness, and likely would not have faced males at all that year. Asmussen raced her very ambitiously. Too aggressively, in my opinion and that of many others. She had a great season, it was exciting to watch, but it wrecked her as a four-year-old. She was not the same horse in 2010. There's a good chance she would have had a longer career if she had remained with her original trainer, Hal Wiggins. Her Woodward win, especially, ran her into the ground.
Little bit of a shame we didn't get a Triple Crown contender that year, but watching her speed out of a gate no horse had won from to beat all the boys was just so awesome. What a gorgeous horse.
Both horses are phenomenal! A thrilling race finish nonetheless. I love both horses but was partial to RA in this race because Boo was riding her...... Just the same, Mine That Bird's run at the finish from dead last to second was spectacular! I know that this horse just loves to run this way. He deserves all the respect given! (Worked and trained thoroughbred races horses for over 20 years)
Another wonderful race call, Mr. Durkin ... and just a BTW to anyone reading, Mine That Bird ran a GRAND Preakness, defeating all others except the EXTRAORDINARY Rachel Alexandra. I'm so looking forward to the 2023 Belmont Stakes ... mostly just to hear Mr. D call the race.
Plucky little Mine That Bird had a horrible trip. RA is running free on the lead and he’s trapped way back behind horses, ducking in and out trying to find a path, burning up energy. Bit whe he was finally swung way outside and a had a chance to gather himself, he was running her down like she was backing up. He made up about 12-14 lengths on her in the stretch and needed another 20 yards to catch and pass her.
Everyone should have known she would win. Calvin Borel rode Bird in the Derby and turned down the offer to ride again because he knew the better horse.
I don't care what anyone says, Mine That Bird had a bad ride, bad jockey, and it almost seems they they were blocking him in. If he had a better jockey who would have positioned him in a good spot, I would dare say that he would have caught and beaten Rachel Alexandra.
Calvin Borail great rider,won 2of3 triple crown races that yr on 2 different horses,smart jock got off a Kentucky Derby winner to ride a filly who truly was a champion in his eyes,made sure he collected on that $1million purse
Rachel Alexandra (January 29, 2006 - ) * Sire: Medaglia D´Oro * Grandsire: El Prado * Dam: Lotta Kim * Abuelo materno: Roar * Sex: Mare * Breeder: Dolphus C. Morrison * Owners: Dolphus C. Morrison & Stonestreet Stables * Trainers: Hal Wiggins Steve Asmussen * 19 Starts * 13 Wins * 5 Seconds * 0 Third * $ 3,506,730 earned * Second filly to win Preakness Stakes since Nellie Morse in 1924 * 2009 American Champion 3-Year-Old Filly * 2009 American Horse of the Year * Inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016 Greetings from Venezuela. Rachel Alexandra (29 de Enero, 2006 - ) * Padre: Medaglia D´Oro * Abuelo paterno: El Prado * Madre: Lotta Kim * Abuelo materno: Roar * Sexo: Yegua * Criador: Dolphus C. Morrison * Propietarios: Dolphus C. Morrison & Stonestreet Stables * Entrenadores: Hal Wiggins Steve Asmussen * 19 Salidas * 13 Primeros * 5 Segundos * 0 Terceros * $ 3,506,730 producidos * Campeona Tresañera de Estados Unidos 2009 * Caballo del Año en Estados Unidos 2009 * Exaltada al Museo Nacional de las Carreras y Salón de la Fama en 2016 Saludos desde Venezuela.
@ealaman62 Well RA excels at this distance wire to wire more or less. MTB was a longer distance horse, but there were also some trip issues for him here. However RA was absolutely phenom in this race, she won it fair and clear!
it may seem like MTB would have beat her if the race was longer. But the race was not longer and RA deserves all the credit she ran a beautiful race - MTB did 2!
Congrats to Rachel Alexandra, but Mine That Bird is one of the most incredible horses. That Horse has great come from behind speed. If he was not held up________the Winner. Mine That Bird.
What a monster race for Rachel. From the extreme outside, wide around the first turn: she had enough left to outrun a strong closer and Kentucky Derby winner.
Two Times Mine That Bird came from the southern tip of South America(the back of the pack). One time he was successful, the second time oh so close. WOW. To see that horse move, I can not describe it. WOW WOW WOW!!! Play him back in slow motion in both races.
If the race had been longer, the early pace would have been slower and RA would have had more left in the tank to hold off MTB, she would have won by a larger margin. MTB really proved himself in this race, the Derby was not a fluke, he was and is a solid runner. He can sustain a long long move.
I'm sure Mike Smith did everything he could to get MTB there first but everyone was on the rail so there was no other option but to go to the outside. To me it looks like he rode him like Zenyatta which is good! He just didn't have enough closing power,dont get me wrong I love Rachel But if there was some room on the rail MTB would have had it.
Tom Durkin made up for his bad call in the Derby when he missed Mine that Bird on the rail with a great call here. He was not gonna miss Bird again he was waiting for him to close but Rachel held on.
thought was an amazing race. Mine that Bird did GREAT too. He came up soooo fast, but he got blocked in the middle a little. But SOO HAPPY Rachel Alexandra won. It shows girls are just as good as boys. XD
She struggled in the race was what her jockey and owners said afterward, but she won the race and went on to be in racing class with Zenyatta and so far has had success as a broodmare, what more could ask for in a filly/mare?
This was a very well run race! Mine That Bird is a very nice athlete, as well as Rachel Alexandra, but I agree with some of the other comments. She might have difficulty in the 1 1/2 mile race. They make a very intresting race still..and I'm very glad for the jockey! Seems like such a loving spirited type of guy! (:
Borel and Mine that Bird Win Derby by a MILE...Still He Opted to get off of Mine That Bird to Ride a "Filly" Rachel Alexandra in The Preakness...Some people Criticized that Move but Borel Knew Rachel and her Greatness and He Basically GUARANTEED She would Win...The Rest is History
How is it bad sportsmanship? He had to pick between two of his mounts (who are both great horses) and he picked RA in hopes of getting a filly to with the Preakness. Nothing wrong with that.
When Borel was contracted to ride MTB in the Derby, it was made clear to Mine That Bird's connections that if the two horses ever raced each other, Borel would be riding the filly. Borel wasn't worried about winning the Preakness with a filly: he wanted to keep the ride on RA, whom he correctly recognized as the best horse he had ever ridden. She remains his only Hall of Fame regular mount.
Mine That Bird is so exciting to watch! He just blows past the others like they were standing still. Always in dead last, and boom, kicks in the turbo and bye-bye horsey. If he didn't have to swing wide to get through, Rachel wouldn't have won. Bad luck for Mine That Bird let Rachel win.
Спорт
Funny story here.. I went to the local barbershop for a haircut and this was on. My wife was pregnant with our daughter who we hadn't picked a name yet. I watched the pre race show and remember them talking about Rachel Alexandra being a favorite. I immediately fell in love with that name. Watched the race was excited by a horse race for the first time in my life. On September 17th, 2010 my wife gave birth to our daughter.. Rachel Alexandra =)
No sir not a fake story. Now that you mention it, you're just clearing up the story for me. I did watch the race at the barber shop the day it happened and I do remember the name. We were trying to conceive but hadn't been succeful. We had names picked out before she was even pregnant. Found out she was pregnant in January of 2010. I can provide a birth certificate if you like
Had my dates mixed up. But yes I first heard the name Rachel Alexandra while watching the Preakness so while trying to conceive we had settled and that name for a girl and mine for a boy. Didn't seem like that long before she actually got pregnant but apparently it was.
Very cool, thank you for sharing!!
Great story.
what in hell was funny about it
This is honestly some of THE GREATEST ANNOUNCING OF ALL TIME, I still watch this over 10 years later because it gets me so JACKED UP, Tom Durkin we need you back!
Horse racing was a lot more fun with Tom Durkin calling the races. The goat.
Hope you've heard, Mr. Durkin will be calling the 2023 Belmont Stakes ...
Growing up watching her run I didn’t realize how good she was.... one of the most talented fillies in history of the sport.
At that time i didn’t realize it either.
Mind you I missed her Kentucky oaks win by like (what looked to be) 20 lengths..
I don’t recall any 3 year old filly winning the Kentucky Oaks by that margin..
She’s a Legend
There is a long list of super fillies, but if you want to see another one look up zenyatta!
I was 16 when this race happened. I remember flipping through the channels and seeing the race was about to start. I have never watched a horse race in my life, as all of the horses were walking past when heading to gate, I saw Rachel Alexandra come around and I looked at the TV and said “that horse is going to win”. I knew nothing about racing, but the physique of RA had me stunned... I didn’t know they were the favorite... calling the only horse I have ever watched, based a horse’s look is one of my fondest memories!
Wow...outstanding race-call by Tom Durkin. Lots of genuine emotion and excitement.
Yes, Tom Durkin was awesome for sure. And if you want to hear his "twin" (joke) emotional race caller, listen to Vic Stauffer call Lava Man's (horse) three Hollywood Gold Cup wins (2005, 2006, 2007), especially 2007 finish. Several more Wows! They thrill me anew every time I hear them.
Yeah-To me he and Dave Johnson are top of the heap
Tom Durkin didn’t make that mistake twice. He made sure he saw Mine That Bird this time
It was announced today that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are going into the Hall of Fame together!I predicted that honor for Rachel after her Kentucky Oaks win, before she ever met or beat the boys. Congratulations to both of these great mares. And condolences to Lane's End Farm and the connections of Zenyatta on the recent loss of her newborn colt by War Front.
Man that's so cool to hear I loved both them for what they left on the track they were the same but totally different
RA would have destroyed Zenyatta at 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 on any track outside CA and Zenyatta;s owners and trainer knew it.
@@steveludwig4200 I agree with you (barring a rabbit or otherwise very hot pace). But by the same token, Zenyatta would have destroyed Rachel at 10 furlongs.
Mine that Bird ran a helluva race.
No shame in coming in 2nd to the brilliant Rachel Alexandra
This was a redeeming race for Mine That Bird, too, whose Derby victory was dismissed as a fluke, and mostly credited to jockey Calvin Borel. But his incredible run here, second to a filly who proved to be a major champion, was nearly as impressive as his Derby run. And his third place in the Belmont -- after the whole grueling Triple Crown, cemented his reputation as a real runner.
And he did a lot after that "eyes rolling"
Jim Spoor what else was he supposed to do-any way he won the "mother" of all races-the Derby "laughing"
He was taken away from Woolley and given to D Wayne Lukas and I have no idea what the poor horse did to deserve that.
Birdstone great sire. Father of Mine that Bird and the horse who beat him in Belmont Summer Bird.
He earned my respsect that day. He was flying late, bad trip.
I would've been happy if Mine That Bird had won the Preakness too, but I watched it hoping Rachel Alexandra would win, "AND THE FILLY DID IT!!" Awesome race, really terrific race call, too. Very special to watch:)
Chloe Smyth and they made her earn it.
Pioneer of the Nile just died last week, he was the father of American Pharoah.
Was a big fan of POTN. Felt that he was finally vindicated with AP
It's Pioneerof The Nile due to the 18-character maximum for names.
Funny enough, Pioneerof the Nile's sire was Empire Maker, the horse that spoiled Funny Cide's bid in 2003. I love that a horse that perpetuated the drought ended up producing the sire of the horse that finally broke it.
One of my favourite races ever... what a filly and what a year she had in 2009.... spine tingling stuff...
legend mine that bird
Bummer that Mine That Bird got hung up outside, because he had all the juice at the end.
Terrible trip
Would've won if my friend Calvin Borel was in the irons but he'd already had commitment to ride Rachel Alexander in this race.
One of the best preakness
I know this race was over 10 years ago but I am proud to say I watched her win the Louisiana Oaks live in the big easy!
A Filly for the ages. Still gives chills.
Never get tired of watching her beat the boys !
why?
@@bongobongo985 da!
I've watched it many many times over the years
The cheer from the crowd gave me goosebumps.
The decade of the phillies. 2007 Rags to Riches beat Kentucky Derby Curlin at the Belmont and then 2009 Rachel Alexandra beats Kentucky Derby winner Mine that Bird at the Preakness. These two phillies are spectacular. Here in the 2020 decade waiting for more strong phillies to win . I hope I get to see in the next decades to come.
From 1:37 to 1:59, Mine That Bird absolutely supremely incredible, the 'boys' held him up.
+hajable9 That's what I saw when I first watched it.
He is such an underrated horse for what he did
Does anyone care to hear my take on why they held him up
+PHX Master go for it
+Yogi Guzman first thank you for responding and second you may disagree
Mtb is a gelding and has no money in the breeding Market while Ra did and the other owners were jealous he could win the triple crone and Maybe thought they could breed with her
Rachel is the modern day best filly going. Beat my Bird that day but he was coming late. Showed his heart finishing all 3 Triple Crown races in the money.
Showing he was no fluke derby winner.
@@paullawrence3694 never won another race after the derby...fluke
Bird did not have a good trip in that race, that ride wasn't nearly as good as Calvin's in the Derby.
No. Mine that bird run a 2:02 derby what is very average if you watch the time chart. Not came slow simply slow horses. That year derby was extremely underqualified if you watching a slow derby time also had all the field this behind mine that bird. His awesomeness is in the 50-1 chance not his speed.
@@Angelaius It was a sloppy track in '09 so that's going to slow down the field.
What a brave little horse, skimming the rail to win the derby and fighting so hard from the outside like that for 2nd. 50 to 1 is a great story of the underdog. I'll always remember this horse like sea biscuit. Can never forget the immortal Secretariat. big red..
Did you see how Mine That Bird ran past the rest of the field like they were standing still, from last place....again? No credit taken away from the filley but Mine That Bird is FOR REAL. Just wish the jockey would have let him open up just a few seconds earlier. We could possibly be going for a Triple Crown race in Belmont. Either way, the Belmont is going to be a great two-horse face off.
Rachel better then bird
Mind that bird vs Zenyatta . BEST MATCHUP because both of those horses is always last in the beginning to save energy and at the end they go very fast and win.
ZENYATTA blew him away in the BC classic that year
Ya
@Sophia Schommer still nothing like Secretariats preakness...nobody makes that kind of move around the clubhouse turn..and does it on his own no less
@Sophia Schommer
Whirlaway was an awesome Triple Crown Winner, to bad they sent Whirly to France...
The 5 peeps who disliked the video must have lost their shirts
no body had to lose there shirt this these races in 09 stunk purley stuck stunk
She was all like screw you, I'm going faster.
Absolutely! I could see her saying "can't catch me boyz" ...lol
Girl could run.
Had that filly been run in all 3 races we would have had the first filly to be a Triple Crown Winner.
She wasn't going to win at a mile and a half
Juvenile comment
@@TheJustjim3333 The way she pushed down the backstretch..oh..it's possible...every horse is tired and she's still kicking.
Give Mind That Bird another 50 yards and that would've been another race under his belt. He definitely had a LOT more. He didn't run outa juice, just ran outa real estate to cover. He was probably running 3 to 5 miles faster than the winner. 50 Yards, and he'd be on his way to a triple crown.. :)
Chris Banzet definitely.. he wouldve had her with a bit more space
Helen Leslie The speed difference on the final sprint is phenomenal. Mine That Bird is just WAY faster than those other horses coming in the home stretch. I actually blame the jockey on this one for not finding a better open lane and letting Mine That Bird sprint just a second or two earlier....
+ 1
Chris Banzet Onto a triple crown? Did you see the Belmont Stakes from 09? He produced 2 freak performances in his career and that's it.
gallopracerfan Yeah I watched it. The problem with this race was the conditions for Mind That Bird weren't right. Unfortunately, the lead horse coming around with 7 furlongs left was too great so the jockey had to start over taking horses too early. The jockey had talked about that many times in the past. Saying that if Mind That Bird started too early he would not finish strong.
This race tells me that the jockey knew this horse very well. Mind That Bird had no final steam coming in from middle position on the final turn. That's just not the way the horse likes to run...
I was a track and cross country star as a kid. I made it to the nationals in AAU 3 years in a row as a youngster, and it's funny, I too had a racing pattern. If I were in front position, I'd get gased out and not be able to make a sprint for the final turns. But if I stayed in the second position and waited, I could smoke past the first place guy every time coming into the final two turns on the track. I ran the Mile and 2 Mile back in the day... :)
So I kind of understand how that "imagery" or "mental position" is so very crucial for an athlete... :)
She wasn't just one the best fillies of her time she one of the all time greats that ever raced so tough
Rachel Alexandra won, but Mine that Bird probably ran the best race. Got caught in a ton of traffic, went way out and still lost by only a length.
Look at all those boys chasing the girl!
A filly for the ages. One of the all-time greats. Too bad she and the equally great Zenyatta never met.
Mine that bird and zenyatta have the same tactics n they are so great at what they do n how they did it.
I am convinced that if Bird had made his move earlier or not been held up, he would have beaten her. What a horse
I always put him in my list of horses that should've won the triple crown (which only has 5-10 horses)
Do you care to hear my take on why he was held up
Sure, go ahead !
+guessimalivinglegend it's only a theory so if it sounds dumb don't get annoyed but during the race mine that bird was held up which is fairly common but I believe most of the colt horse owners had a grudge with mine that bird because he's a gelding and was taking some of their future breeding money and putting it nowhere ,and if a filly won they could try to breed with here possibly (and maybe if he won the triple crown people would expect more from geldings instead of colts) so that's my theory on why he was held up
That's not a stupid theory. I actually thought that, too. (By the way, it's a shame that they gelded him :D) In the final furlong, you can clearly see that Bird is absolutely supreme and if they had unleashed him just some moments sooner, Rachel Alexandra would have been beaten. But they didn't. Ugh. I still love Bird though, he will always be my favorite
I've watched every Kentucky Derby live since 1978 and of course many more on tape but the 2009 Kentucky Derby is the best and most dramatic I've ever seen in my life making it my top Kentucky Derby on my list. Calvin had to make a choice for the Preakness and it must have been very hard for him but it was a no brainer to get on Rachel A. What I'm disappointed about is the fact that the owners of Rachel A. didn't run her in the Kentucky Derby that year since all along we all knew she could beat the boys and then messing up what could have been an historic Belmont Stakes with Mine that Bird going for the Triple Crown and making it the most unlikely horse to win the Triple Crown and rewriting the ending of that great movie. I was there at Churchill Downs watching Mine that Bird beat me out of all my tickets. I backed up the other Bird - Summer Bird - in that race ( he was 50-1 as well) and at the time I was furious but years after, I cannot be any happier to lose to Mine that Bird because he gave me a story of a great underdog that could and the greatest Kentucky Derby that I've ever seen.
Giuseppe Martorna I loved Rachel. I predicted after her 20-length Kentucky Oaks win that she was headed for the Hall of Fame, and I was correct. But I do not think for a moment she would have won either the Derby or the Belmont. Her best distance was 1 1/16 or 1 1/8 miles; she had a tough time in the Preakness as it was, against a not especially strong crop of colts, and that was the longest race she ever won.
If you knew "all along" she could beat the boys, good for you. Rachel Alexandra wasn't champion two-year-old filly like Ruffian or Songbird, who were being talked up for the Derby (not that either went) as 2-year-olds. I don't think she had won a G1 event until her Oaks, though she had had some dominating wins. I was unaware of her until she won the Oaks during Derby week -- the same week that her sale by her breeder/owner Dolphus Morrison and his co-owner Michael Lauffer to Stonestreet Stables was announced, with Jess Jackson holding new controlling interest in her. She was, to my understanding, bought primarily as a broodmare prospect for the stable's HOY Curlin. If she had remained owned by Morrison & Lauffer, she definitely would *not* have run in the Preakness, and likely would not have faced males at all that year.
Asmussen raced her very ambitiously. Too aggressively, in my opinion and that of many others. She had a great season, it was exciting to watch, but it wrecked her as a four-year-old. She was not the same horse in 2010. There's a good chance she would have had a longer career if she had remained with her original trainer, Hal Wiggins.
Her Woodward win, especially, ran her into the ground.
Still breath-taking to watch. Rachel Alexandra!
Little bit of a shame we didn't get a Triple Crown contender that year, but watching her speed out of a gate no horse had won from to beat all the boys was just so awesome. What a gorgeous horse.
What a gal!!!...so sad she could only have 2 foals but so happy they saved her...you deserve your retirment Supergal!!!
Both horses are phenomenal! A thrilling race finish nonetheless. I love both horses but was partial to RA in this race because Boo was riding her......
Just the same, Mine That Bird's run at the finish from dead last to second was spectacular! I know that this horse just loves to run this way. He deserves all the respect given!
(Worked and trained thoroughbred races horses for over 20 years)
As the Black Stallion books said, it's hardest to repel a challenge from behind. Rachel's an amazing horse.
Mike Smith blew that run for bird.
That was the best race Mine That Bird EVER ran, his speed figure (buyer) was 12 points higher for this race than the Derby that he won
thanks bro!
Another wonderful race call, Mr. Durkin ... and just a BTW to anyone reading, Mine That Bird ran a GRAND Preakness, defeating all others except the EXTRAORDINARY Rachel Alexandra. I'm so looking forward to the 2023 Belmont Stakes ... mostly just to hear Mr. D call the race.
Plucky little Mine That Bird had a horrible trip. RA is running free on the lead and he’s trapped way back behind horses, ducking in and out trying to find a path, burning up energy. Bit whe he was finally swung way outside and a had a chance to gather himself, he was running her down like she was backing up. He made up about 12-14 lengths on her in the stretch and needed another 20 yards to catch and pass her.
When you are a deep closer, that is the risk you run.
If MIne That Bird had a clearer path to the the front, he would have won easily.
Gotta LOVE RA!
rachel alexandra amazing horse.
Yep u said it
If Mine That Bird could have rode the rail instead of turning wide then he would have won.
That's so sweet and adorable. The girl won.❤
I had Rachel :) I knew she would win
to this day, i still like saying Mine That Bird runs at her late!!! Heres the wire!!! . . . AND THE FILLY DID IT!!!!
Everyone should have known she would win. Calvin Borel rode Bird in the Derby and turned down the offer to ride again because he knew the better horse.
I don't care what anyone says, Mine That Bird had a bad ride, bad jockey, and it almost seems they they were blocking him in. If he had a better jockey who would have positioned him in a good spot, I would dare say that he would have caught and beaten Rachel Alexandra.
Yeah they ganged him.
And hoping that Rachel's Valentia wins the Kentucky Oaks this year!!!!!!!!!!!!
Calvin Borail great rider,won 2of3 triple crown races that yr on 2 different horses,smart jock got off a Kentucky Derby winner to ride a filly who truly was a champion in his eyes,made sure he collected on that $1million purse
Here, there was no hole inside of the rail, so Mine That Bird had to go outside of the group and spent more time to try the lead.
It may have took 85 years for her to get here, but once she hit that track it was hers , all the way to the wire!....Queen Rachel...wow
Didn't Zenyatta blow by Mine that Bird in the Breeder's Cup Classic?
With as bad as Durkins call was in the Derby he made up for it here brilliant call
My favorite race ever, besides her Woodward win at Saratoga.
Awesome horse.
Ladies first. :)
that call is legendary....
Rachel Alexandra
(January 29, 2006 - )
* Sire: Medaglia D´Oro
* Grandsire: El Prado
* Dam: Lotta Kim
* Abuelo materno: Roar
* Sex: Mare
* Breeder: Dolphus C. Morrison
* Owners: Dolphus C. Morrison & Stonestreet Stables
* Trainers: Hal Wiggins
Steve Asmussen
* 19 Starts
* 13 Wins
* 5 Seconds
* 0 Third
* $ 3,506,730 earned
* Second filly to win Preakness Stakes since Nellie Morse in 1924
* 2009 American Champion 3-Year-Old Filly
* 2009 American Horse of the Year
* Inducted to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016
Greetings from Venezuela.
Rachel Alexandra
(29 de Enero, 2006 - )
* Padre: Medaglia D´Oro
* Abuelo paterno: El Prado
* Madre: Lotta Kim
* Abuelo materno: Roar
* Sexo: Yegua
* Criador: Dolphus C. Morrison
* Propietarios: Dolphus C. Morrison & Stonestreet Stables
* Entrenadores: Hal Wiggins
Steve Asmussen
* 19 Salidas
* 13 Primeros
* 5 Segundos
* 0 Terceros
* $ 3,506,730 producidos
* Campeona Tresañera de Estados Unidos 2009
* Caballo del Año en Estados Unidos 2009
* Exaltada al Museo Nacional de las Carreras y Salón de la Fama en 2016
Saludos desde Venezuela.
@ealaman62 Well RA excels at this distance wire to wire more or less. MTB was a longer distance horse, but there were also some trip issues for him here. However RA was absolutely phenom in this race, she won it fair and clear!
Nah. Borel was given a chance to ride the best horse in the field and he took it.
it may seem like MTB would have beat her if the race was longer. But the race was not longer and RA deserves all the credit she ran a beautiful race - MTB did 2!
What a iconic race the very underrated mine that bird coming from nowhere nearly pulling back maybe the greatest girl horse of all time
Zenyatta might respectfully disagree with you.
Lucky as hell to hold on
Congrats to Rachel Alexandra, but Mine That Bird is one of the most incredible horses. That Horse has great come from behind speed. If he was not held up________the Winner. Mine That Bird.
What a monster race for Rachel. From the extreme outside, wide around the first turn: she had enough left to outrun a strong closer and Kentucky Derby winner.
Two Times Mine That Bird came from the southern tip of South America(the back of the pack). One time he was successful, the second time oh so close. WOW. To see that horse move, I can not describe it. WOW WOW WOW!!! Play him back in slow motion in both races.
If the race had been longer, the early pace would have been slower and RA would have had more left in the tank to hold off MTB, she would have won by a larger margin. MTB really proved himself in this race, the Derby was not a fluke, he was and is a solid runner. He can sustain a long long move.
I'm sure Mike Smith did everything he could to get MTB there first but everyone was on the rail so there was no other option but to go to the outside. To me it looks like he rode him like Zenyatta which is good! He just didn't have enough closing power,dont get me wrong I love Rachel But if there was some room on the rail MTB would have had it.
Sons??? she only has 1 son.. and 1 filly... they will both carry on her legend of Greatness o:
Always good to watch horse racing.
This has to be the most disrespected HOY I have ever seen. I just shake my head. The gal was a great filly. Period.
An amazing race there.
To This Very Dey, to see that Little Horse (Mine That Bird) running with Power. Gdness, Impressive. Keeps the Inspiration Fuel Tank Full.
A more accurate title on the video would be Calvin Borel beat the blind and senseless Mike Smith
Do you think Borel would have won the Preakness if decided to ride Mine That Bird instead of Rachel Alexandra ?
Tom Durkin made up for his bad call in the Derby when he missed Mine that Bird on the rail with a great call here. He was not gonna miss Bird again he was waiting for him to close but Rachel held on.
thought was an amazing race. Mine that Bird did GREAT too. He came up soooo fast, but he got blocked in the middle a little. But SOO HAPPY Rachel Alexandra won. It shows girls are just as good as boys. XD
Excellent Win
Classic Win
She struggled in the race was what her jockey and owners said afterward, but she won the race and went on to be in racing class with Zenyatta and so far has had success as a broodmare, what more could ask for in a filly/mare?
Misprint 19 of the 20 horses entered in the kentucky derby were bred out of Native Dancer bloodlines. Thanks
rachel is not a 1.5m horse thats why she is not running. She struggled to win the shortest one and MTB came charging with full speed.
Look at those boys chasing that girl!!! What a Filly!
So...is she a X factor horse ??? (oversized heart like Shame and Secretariat ?) If so, HER sons will be something very special.
This was a very well run race! Mine That Bird is a very nice athlete, as well as Rachel Alexandra, but I agree with some of the other comments. She might have difficulty in the 1 1/2 mile race. They make a very intresting race still..and I'm very glad for the jockey! Seems like such a loving spirited type of guy! (:
I have always had Ruffian as the greatest filly...the more I rewatch Racheal Alexandra I might have to call them 1 &1A
Borel and Mine that Bird Win Derby by a MILE...Still He Opted to get off of Mine That Bird to Ride a "Filly" Rachel Alexandra in The Preakness...Some people Criticized that Move but Borel Knew Rachel and her Greatness and He Basically GUARANTEED She would Win...The Rest is History
What a classy fillie
Too Many Horses seem to fail when they are branded the next big thing in horse racing. We Need more Super-Filly's - Congrats
Rachel Alexandra !!
How is it bad sportsmanship? He had to pick between two of his mounts (who are both great horses) and he picked RA in hopes of getting a filly to with the Preakness. Nothing wrong with that.
When Borel was contracted to ride MTB in the Derby, it was made clear to Mine That Bird's connections that if the two horses ever raced each other, Borel would be riding the filly. Borel wasn't worried about winning the Preakness with a filly: he wanted to keep the ride on RA, whom he correctly recognized as the best horse he had ever ridden. She remains his only Hall of Fame regular mount.
Great
Mine That Bird is so exciting to watch! He just blows past the others like they were standing still. Always in dead last, and boom, kicks in the turbo and bye-bye horsey.
If he didn't have to swing wide to get through, Rachel wouldn't have won. Bad luck for Mine That Bird let Rachel win.
It's a shame Tom Dirkien retired, he was AMAZING.