By Kathy Groob, Publisher ElectWomen Magazine

I say boys, because we’re talking about 3-year-olds.  Yes, that’s right, 3-year-old thoroughbreds ran in the Preakness Stakes today at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore.  The field of 13 includes 12 boys, and one filly named Rachel Alexandra won the coveted Preakness Stakes.  

Horse racing is king in my home state of Kentucky, but for those of you outside of the equine community, most racehorse winners are males.  In fact a filly hasn’t won the Preakness Stakes since Nellie Morse won in 1924.  So this is a big deal.  Just two weeks ago, Rachel Alexandra won the Churchill Downs Kentucky Oaks race the day before the Kentucky Derby.  Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel said “She’s probably the greatest horse I’ve ever been on in my life. 

But not so fast, says owner Jess Jackson, about Rachel’s gender status.  “This is not about male and female,” said Jackson.  “I think the fans deserve to see the best horses compete, regardless of sex.”  But despite the owner’s dismissal of the girl star power phenomenon of Rachel Alexandra, some are predicting usually high numbers tuning in to see the race on Saturday.  The race was broadcast on NBC Sports on Saturday evening. 

The 134^th running of the Preakness Stakes is filled with plenty of drama aside from the fact that a female is the favorite. Jockey Borel chose to stay on as Rachel Alexandra’s regular rider, switching off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who gets Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

The #13 position has been drawn for Rachel who is presently listed at 8-5 odds.  The Preakness Stakes is the second leg in the Triple Crown horse racing series.  Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby on May 2^nd and will be seeking the next notch in the quest for the Triple Crown.  The third leg of Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York on June 6^th.

Rachel Alexandra trainer D. Wayne Lukas understands what Rachel’s quest for victory means for females across America.  “Half the population in America is already under her umbrella–that’s the women,” said Lukas.  “They’re all pulling for her.”  And so are we.  

Way to go Rachel!