Rachel Alexandra saunters home in sophomore bow

L & M Partners' RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) easily captured her

seasonal debut on Sunday when taking on eight rivals in Oaklawn Park's $50,000

Martha Washington S. With Calvin Borel sitting chilly in the saddle, the bay

lass staked the leader to the second turn, took over at the head of the lane and

drew off while being geared down to post an eight-length victory.

Affirmed Truth (Proudest Romeo) moved up from her inside post to set the

pace, posting splits of :23, :47 and 1:11 4/5. All the while, Rachel Alexandra

was settled comfortably just to the outside, tracking under a comfortable hold

from Borel. Entering the stretch, the filly lengthened her stride and began to

draw off while the rest of the field showed signs of faltering. Rachel Alexandra

bounded home an easy winner while completing one mile on the fast dirt in 1:36

2/5.

The Kentucky-bred miss, sent off the heavy 2-5 favorite, began her career at

Churchill Downs, running sixth in a maiden before breaking through with a first

career win over that same track. Since then, Rachel Alexandra has run second in

the Debutante S. (G3), captured an allowance by three lengths, filled the

runner-up spot in the Pocahontas S. (G3) and captured the Golden Rod S. (G2) by

4 3/4 lengths. That latter event rounded out her juvenile campaign.

Rachel Alexandra's stakes-winning ways are merely a continuation of the

traditions set down by others in her family. Her dam is Lotta Kim (Roar), who

won the 2004 Tiffany Lass S. and placed in the previous year's Golden Rod. Lotta

Kim is herself a half-sister to 2001 Pocahontas S. victress and Golden Rod third

Lotta Rhythm (Rhythm).

With the Martha Washington win added to her line, Rachel Alexandra now owns a

7-4-2-0 record having banked $231,440 in earnings.