RACHEL ALEXANDRA 2010 Fleur de Lis Handicap

Rachel nation is breathing a little easier on the afternoon of June 12 after last year s Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra scored her first win of 2010, drawing away from four overmatched rivals in the 200, 000 Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II). Making her second start at Churchill Downs since her recordbreaking 20 1, 4length romp in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), the 4yearold Rachel Alexandra looked a little more like her old self in the 1 1, 8mile Fleur de Lis. Sent off as the 15 favorite, she shook off pace rivals Jessica Is Back and Distinctive Dixie near the threesixteenths pole and romped home while geared down late by jockey Calvin Borel, who gave a look over his shoulder at the retreating field as he approached the wire. The final time was a sharp over a fast track.