Rachel Alexandra's Next Race Will Be The Haskell

By: T.R. Slyder, TRSlyder@yahoo.com

Rachel's is pointed to the August 2nd Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, where she will again race against the boys. The race is run at a 1 mile and an 1/8th.

The other horses that are being pointed toward the Haskell include Papa Clem, Summer Bird, Atomic Rain and Munnings. We know what Summer Bird can do at a 1.5 miles, but I'm sure that 1 mile and 1/8th will flatter his talents. Munnings is the same, but the opposite, so to speak. His success has come via sprint races, where the Daily Racing Form's Mike Watchmaker currently has him listed on his Watchmaker Watch as the 2nd best sprinter in the country. His best distance appears to be 7 furlongs (where he has posted Beyer Speed Figures of 108, 110 and 111 in consecutive races since May 1st, which are similar to Rachel's Beyers at 1 mile and 1/8th.) , and the Haskell will be at 9f. So he has the talent to stay with Rachel, it's just a question of if his talent can be stretched out over 9 furlongs.

Should be a doozie.