Rachel Alexandra owner eyes Belmont Stakes

BALTIMORE (Reuters) - The co-owner of Preakness champion Rachel Alexandra already has his sights set on the Belmont Stakes in three weeks.

"I'd love to race in New York," Jess Jackson said after his filly's one-length victory over Kentucky Derby champion Mine That Bird in the $1.1 million Preakness Stakes on Saturday.

"The Belmont is always a consideration for a champion. It will depend on her. The horse always tells you when they ready. Would we love to run? Yes. Could she win? We think so.

"We've already shown she can run with colts."

The Kentucky-bred daughter of Medaglia d'Oro became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, beating a dozen male horses to win the middle leg of the Triple Crown series.

After grabbing the lead at the second turn, Rachel Alexandra held an ample four-length advantage in the stretch and held on for the win, worth $660,000.

Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick bought the filly last week just days after she won the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs by a staggering 20 lengths.

Rachel Alexandra skipped the Derby but her new owners decided it was time she faced the colts for the first time.

Jackson had to pay a $100,000 supplemental fee just to get her to the Preakness starting gate since she had not been nominated for the Triple Crown races.

"We monitored her health very carefully to make sure she was fit and ready," said Jackson. "She could have been even faster if she had a little more time and she had a turf that didn't break away from her as she was running.

"But at the same time she showed the heart and skill of a champion. I'm delighted our decision ... was correct."

Rachel Alexandra's jockey, Calvin Borel, rode Mine That Bird to a stirring 6 3/4-length victory in the Derby but dropped the mount in favor of the filly.

He became the first jockey to ride a Derby champion but take another mount in the Preakness.

"She's the best horse in the country right now, bar none," said Borel, who won the Derby two years ago aboard Street Sense.

"She's got so much determination. When you look in that filly's eyes, it's unbelievable. You win."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)