Loyal fans to The Sport of Kings were disappointed to learn ''The Worldwide Leader in Sports'' was dropping coverage of the Kentucky Derby post position draw and the Kentucky Oaks, which is the fillies big show ran the day before the Derby. With the Kentucky Oaks not shown, online horse betting enthusiasts missed the opportunity to watch history being made by Rachel Alexandra, who inhaled her rivals to win by a record crushing 20 lengths.

Rachel Alexandra came into the race having won her last two races in impressive fashion, and she was sent of as the odds-on favorite, paying $2.60 to win. But the combination of the Oaks not being shown on ESPN, and Mine That Bird winning the Derby at 50-1 by the largest margin (6 3/4-lengths) since 1946, her dominating victory was overshadowed.

But by now, if you bet on horses as a guru or recreational rail bird, chances are you're aware of Rachel Alexandra and she'll be running against the boys in Saturday's 134th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.

Having repeatedly crushed many of the world's most talented fillies in embarrassing fashion, Rachel Alexandra has found that competing against the girls is like a boring walk in the park. Not only is she stepping up to run against some of the best 3-year-old colts in the game, oddsmakers are giving her the edge as the 8-5 morning line favorite, as she attempts to become just the fifth filly ever to win the Preakness. The last lady to do it was Nellie Morse in 1924.

Fifty-two fillies have competed in the Preakness, and only four have won. Rachel Alexandra drew the outside No. 13 post, but certainly has the speed to make up the difference over 1 3-16 miles at Pimlico. No horse has won from that post in 11 tries since 1909.

Pioneerof the Nile, who finished second in the Derby on May 2, was made the second favorite at 5-1 in the morning line. Mine That Bird, who pulled the upset for the second biggest Derby win price of $103.20, is the co-third choice in the morning line with Friesan Fire, the beaten favorite in the Run for the Roses.

Jockey Calvin Borel piloted Rachel Alexandra to the spectacular victory in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1. The next day he guided Mine That Bird to the wire in the Kentucky Derby. Borel will be switching mounts for the Preakness, to ride a filly that many believed could have won the Derby if her connections had elected to run her there rather than in the Oaks. Mine That Bird will be ridden by Mike Smith.

Mine That Bird proved miracles do come true, stunning the field to win the Kentucky Derby with a dynamic stretch run through the mud two weeks ago at Churchill Downs. Though, it's unlikely he's Triple Crown material, so adding a filly to a now spicy Preakness makes this event much bigger.

The field, from the rail out, is Big Drama (10-1), Mine That Bird (6-1), Musket Man (8-1), Luv Gov (50-1), Friesan Fire (6-1), Terrain (30-1), Papa Clem (12-1), General Quarters (20-1), Pioneerof the Nile (5-1), Flying Private (50-1), Take the Points (30-1), Tone It Down (50-1) and Rachel Alexandra (8-5).

This information is provided in partnership with BetUs Sportsbook

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