Rachel Alexandra loses again, beaten by Persistently in the Personal Ensign

Upset at the Spa: Rachel beaten by 21-1 long shot

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Jockey Calvin Borel knew Rachel Alexandra was in trouble with a quarter-mile to go in the $300,00 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course.

The reigning Horse of the Year had just put away Life At Ten after a mile-long duel for the lead and was bearing down on the finish line.

“I didn’t feel any acceleration and I got worried,” Borel said. “She wasn’t really there. I knew if anyone was running behind us, we were in trouble.”

They sure were. Persistently was kicking into high gear under Alan Garcia, gaining ground with every stride. She took the lead with three jumps to go and won by one length,

The stunning finish silenced the crowd 23,347 that turned out to see Rachel’s return to the Spa after last year’s electrifying victory in the Woodward Stakes.

The loss was the third in five starts this year for Rachel Alexandra, and leaves racing fans wondering what’s next for the 4-year-old filly who rolled to an 8-0 record last year with victories against the boys in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward.

“If she isn’t exactly where she was last year, hopefully she can get back there,” Rachel’s trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I don’t want to give up on getting back to where we were. I don’t.”

Rachel’s owner Jess Jackson was not at the race, but said in a statement: “We are disappointed in the result, as we are sure her countless fans are, but we are certainly not disappointed in her. She is still a superstar in our hearts and minds.”

Yes, it was Rachel’s first race at 1¼ miles and her first Grade 1 of the year, but unlike last year, when her speed seemed to be enough, the same cannot be said for 2010. She now has two wins and three runner-up finishes against less than stellar competition.

“I’m very disappointed that she lost,” Asmussen said. “But I am always happy with Rachel. It hurts to lose and you’re disappointed for it, but if that’s the case, just think about how happy she’s made you and all the things she has done for us.”

It seemed only fitting that if Rachel was going get beat it would be by a horse wearing the Phipps Stables silks and trained by Shug McGaughey, who also campaigned the unbeaten filly the raced is named for. Personal Ensign died in April at the age of 26.

“We’re just tickled to death to win the race, particularly with it being the Personal Ensign,” McGaughey said. “My hat’s off to Rachel Alexandra. She runs her heart out every time. She made a beautiful presence in the paddock today. We were just lucky enough to pick up the pieces.”

Before the race, Rachel’s entrance through the crowd drew applause from the fans, who lined up six deep around the paddock to get a glimpse and snap photos of the star filly. Even in defeat, the fans cheered Rachel’s return past the grandstand.

Life At Ten was third, followed by Miss Singhsix and Classofsixtythree.

Persistently returned $45, $8.10 and $3.60, while Rachel Alexandra returned $2.30 and $2.10 and Life At Ten, the 9-5 second choice, paid $2.10. The winning time was 2:04.49.

Persistently, a 4-year-old chestnut filly, has won four of 14 starts and earned $180,000 to boost her earnings to $491,256.

“I thought Rachel might be a little vulnerable going a mile and a quarter, and I knew we’d run a mile and a quarter,” McGaughey said.

Asmussen figures the duel up front spelled defeat for Rachel Alexandra.

“I thought Rachel put a very good mare away,” Asmussen said, referring to Life At Ten. “It obviously took more out of her on the front end than we would have hoped for. When she moved away from (Life At Ten) that’s what you were hoping to see. Then she got run down.”