Rachel Alexandra is ready for her close-up: Preakness-winning filly has photo layout in Vogue

Filly in fashion: Rachel Alexandra poses for Vogue

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — She is a clotheshorse without the clothes: Rachel Alexandra has posed for a photo spread in Vogue.

Pictures of the Preakness-winning filly were shot Friday by fashion photographer Steven Klein for the magazine’s August issue.

Rachel Alexandra had to be awakened in her stall when it was time for her star turn.

“Done photo shoots before, but first one for Vogue,” said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen who held the shank on the filly during the session.

The magazine spread grew out of a trip to the Preakness by Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

“She was there at the Preakness and was inspired, like so many other women were,” said Caroline Shaw, a spokeswoman for Jess Jackson, the filly’s majority owner.

Among those looking on was Barbara Banke, Jackson’s wife.

There was no star treatment for Mine That Bird. The Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up quietly galloped twice around the Churchill Downs track.

On Friday, it was decided Rachel Alexandra will not run in the June 6 Belmont Stakes. Co-owner Jess Jackson said the filly deserves a vacation. Mine That Bird is scheduled for his final workout Monday before the final leg of the Triple Crown.