Rachel Alexandra will attempt to become the first filly in 85 years to win the G1 Preakness Stakes this Saturday.

After her 20 length victory in the G1 Kentucky Oaks, Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) was purchased by Stonestreet Stables and transferred to trainer Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen won the Preakness in 2007 with eventual Horse of the Year Curlin, who rallied to edge Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Street Sense at Pimlico.  He declined to speculate where Rachel Alexandra fits among the colts being pointed toward Saturday’s race.

“You only worry about what you can take care of,” he said.  “The filly is tremendous and Hal (Wiggins) did a remarkable job with her.  The transition has been really smooth so far.  She’s just very classy and takes in whatever you want to do with her.”

Friesan Fire showed no ill effects from his troubled journey in the Kentucky Derby when he ran a winning gallop on Tuesday morning in the lead-up to the G1 Preakness Stakes this Saturday.

The beaten favorite in the Run for the Roses prepped for the second leg of the Triple Crown with a sizzling 1000m hit-out in 58.4s 5 under jockey Gabriel Saez.

Friesan Fire is a son of champion sire A.P. Indy and G1 STC Coolmore Classic winner Bollinger (Dehere) and is raced in partnership by Vinery.

“He was focused and really wants to start rolling,” said trainer Larry Jones said.  “He’s doing well.  The horse is sound and handled the track really well.”
Friesan Fire had suffered cuts all over his legs, particularly in his left front foot, during his eventful run in the Derby, in which he was bumped around at the start and raced in heavy traffic before fading.

Friesan Fire had won the Louisiana Derby (G2) prior to running at Churchill Downs and he is being tipped as a future shuttler to Vinery Australia.