'Rachel' draws outside for Preakness

Updated: May 16, 2009, 2:06 PM ET
By Marty McGee | Daily Racing Form



BALTIMORE -- Thirteen horses were entered in the 134th Preakness Stakes just after 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and the last to load will be the favorite, the filly Rachel Alexandra. Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra, with Calvin Borel named to ride, drew the outside stall, and was installed by Pimlico linemaker Frank Carulli as the 8-5 favorite.

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird drew post 2, and was made the co-third choice at odds of 6-1 with Mike Smith named to ride.

Pioneerof the Nile is the second choice at odds of 5-1 on Carulli's line, and will break from post 9 under Garrett Gomez.

The other horse at 6-1 is Friesan Fire, 18th as the favorite in the Derby. Friesan Fire drew post 5, and will be ridden again by Gabriel Saez.

Big Drama seemed the most likely pacesetter even before the draw, and now seems sure to go to the front after drawing the rail. Big Drama, who will be ridden by John Velazquez and races with blinkers off, was made a 10-1 choice.

Rachel Alexandra won from the outside stall in a nine-horse field last fall at Keeneland, and her tactical speed should allow her to get decent position despite the wide draw.

$1.1 million Preakness Stakes

Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1 Big Drama J. Velazquez D. Fawkes 10-1
2 Mine That Bird M. Smith B. Woolley Jr. 6-1
3 Musket Man E. Coa D. Ryan 8-1
4 Luv Gov J. Theriot D.W. Lukas 50-1
5 Friesan Fire G. Saez L. Jones 6-1
6 Terrain J. Rose A. Stall Jr. 30-1
7 Papa Clem R. Bejarano G. Stute 12-1
8 General Quarters J. Leparoux T. McCarthy 20-1
9 Pioneerof the Nile G. Gomez B. Baffert 5-1
10 Flying Private A. Garcia D.W. Lukas 50-1
11 Take the Points E. Prado T. Pletcher 30-1
12 Tone It Down K. Desormeaux W. Komlo 50-1
13 Rachel Alexandra C. Borel S. Asmussen 8-5
DRF odds by Mike Watchmaker

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