Those who believe Rachel Alexandra could have won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) had she been entered now have evidence to back up their belief after she won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 1 at Churchill Downs in spectacular fashion. The 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly was dominant over her six rivals, drawing off down the lane to win by 20 1/4 lengths in a magnificent performance. Under Calvin Borel, Rachel Alexandra had won her previous two starts in wire-to-wire fashion, but in the Oaks Borel allowed Victor Espinoza to put Gabby's Golden Gal on the lead. Borel was content to sit behind her as the field went through a quarter in :23.75 and a half in :47.46. Be Fair was in third and Flying Spur sat in fourth. All eyes were on Rachel Alexandra down the backstretch as Borel sat chilly with a lot of horse under him. As the field moved into the turn after six furlongs in 1:11.91, he moved Rachel Alexandra to the outside of the pacesetter and easily went by Gabbys Golden Gal. Borel had already opened up a clear advantage as the field straightened away for home and the race was for second at that point. Borel patted Rachel Alexandra on the side of her neck as she coasted under the wire and the crowd applauded her performance appreciatively. "I've never been on a horse like this," Borel said immediately after the victory, his fifth in a row aboard Rachel Alexandra. Stone Legacy ran second, 4 1/4 lengths in front of Flying Spur, who finished third. Be Fair was fourth, followed by Nan <b>...</b>
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