of first female champion in 85 years

Filly Rachel Alexandra Wins Preakness, First Female Champion in 85 Years: Rachel Alexandra not only ran with the boys, she beat every one of them.

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes since 1924, holding off a late charge by Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to capture the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday by a length. Calvin Borel, who rode Mine That Bird in the Derby, switched to Rachel Alexandra and guided her to a sixth straight victory. The only filly in the 13-horse race, Rachel Alexandra went off as the 9-5 favorite and became the first horse to win from the No. 13 post at Pimlico. She moved to the front and took a big lead before Mine That Bird tested her in the stretch.