Borel looks forward to riding Rachel, Super Saver at Monmouth

Borel looks forward to riding Rachel, Super Saver at

Monmouth

"From what I hear, Super Saver is doing very well. He put on a little weight,

which is good to hear because he really had to run hard in the Derby. He's not a

big horse at all, and I think the Derby and Preakness ([G1], where he finished a

subpar eighth) took a little out of him." 

Aside from being able to ride two of the best-known horses in the sport,

Borel says he's looking forward to returning to Monmouth Park for the fans. 

"The way the fans reacted to Rachel last year in the Haskell was

unbelievable," Borel said of the filly's six-length conquest of eventual

champion three-year-old male Summer Bird. "Maybe it's because she's a filly and

for her to beat the boys the way she did was really something special. Rachel

did everything we asked her to do last year, and the fans really appreciated

that." 

Rachel Alexandra is scheduled to ship from Saratoga to Monmouth on Tuesday. A

short field is expected for the 1 1/8-mile Lady's Secret, which is named for the

1986 Horse of the Year.

"It looks like she'll be facing four or five rivals," Monmouth Park Racing

Secretary Mike Dempsey said. "The race will be drawn on Wednesday when we'll

obviously know for sure, but right now my best estimate is a field of five,

perhaps six." 

Likely to challenge Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver in the Haskell are

champion LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike), winner of the Preakness; FIRST DUDE

(Stephen Got Even), second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont S. (G1);

TRAPPE SHOT (Tapit), winner of the Long Branch S. at Monmouth on July 10;

UPTOWNCHARLYBROWN (Limehouse), victor of the Pasco S. earlier this year; Withers

S. (G3) winner AFLEET AGAIN (Afleet Alex), runner-up in the June 19 Pegasus S.

(G3) at Monmouth; and one or two from the Nick Zito barn, possibly Derby

runner-up ICE BOX (Pulpit).

The Haskell will be televised live on ABC from 5 to 6 p.m. (EDT). Select

reserved seats are still available for Haskell Day and Rachel Alexandra's

return, and can be purchased by calling 732-571-5563, or by visiting

www.ticketmaster.com.