The excitement in the air for the imminent Saratoga meet has just kicked up a notch, as reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra arrived this morning.

The filly left Louisville early this morning and landed at Albany International Airport a few minutes before 10 a.m. From there, she was taken by horse van to the Oklahoma Training Track, where she took up residence in her old stall from last summer, directly next to the barn office.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi made the trip with the string of horses that also included multiple stakeswinner Friesan Fire and several of trainer Steve Asmussen's 2-year-olds who will debut at the meet, a traditional coming-out party for good young horses. Blasi said that all the horses traveled well. Rachel Alexandra, in particular, has never had a problem with air travel.

"She's the ultimate pro as far as traveling," he said. "She's great at everything she does."

The filly received a warm welcome back to the area. A dozen or so media members gathered on the airport tarmac to watch her disembark, and then a handful (yours truly included) followed the horse van up the Northway, where another handful of photographers was gathered to greet her at the Oklahoma track. One observation - The filly has grown and filled out since we last saw her here as a 3-year-old, and it suits her.

Rachel Alexandra was based at Saratoga last summer, earning a stirring victory in the Woodward Stakes and wrapping up her Horse of the Year title in the process. The filly won the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on June 12 for her first win of 2010. No definitive plan has been announced for her next start, although obvious options include the August 1 Ruffian and the August 29 Personal Ensign, both Grade I events at Saratoga.

Video (including an interview with Blasi) will be available soon on our website, and we'll have full coverage in tomorrow's paper. Until then, here are a few photos to tide you over:

Rachel's plane touches down on the runway

Rachel stepping off the plane onto the horse trailer

Rachel gets her bath at her barn at the Oklahoma track

Rachel walking out after her bath

Despite the jeopardy the NYRA racing calendar, including the Saratoga meet, was in until several weeks ago, NYRA officials expressed optimism for the prospects of the upcoming racing season at a press conference previewing the meet today in Albany.

"It would be inappropriate if we didn't talk about this and just pretended it was happy face time," NYRA president and CEO Charlie Hayward said of the backdrop the meet will take place under. Although he did spend several minutes discussing financial issues, he said he's optimistic that the standard of racing at the meet, and the public's satisfaction with the track's various offerings, will be as high as ever.

Among the topics touched on at today's conference:

-- The racing schedule. Saratoga will offer over $10.5 million in total purses during the 40-day meet, with at least one stakes race per day. The calendar includes 17 Grade I events, 12 Grade II races and five Grade IIIs.

-- The creation of the Betfair TVG Triple Tiara, a bonus series held in New York for 3-year-old fillies.

-- The worries about competition from Monmouth leading to short fields, as horsemen take their stock elsewhere to chase richer purses. Director of Racing P.J. Campo said he's had over 3,000 applications for the 1,800 available stalls from about 150 trainers, including several out-of-town notables. Campo and Hayward both noted that tracks across the country will struggle with short fields due to smaller foal crops in recent years, but they don't expect any undue issues for Saratoga.

-- The wagering menu, with a guaranteed Pick Six every Thursday and a guaranteed Pick Four every Saturday.

-- The TV schedule for the meet. No races will be nationally televised - including the Travers, previously highlighted on ESPN's summer schedule - but MSG Plus will produce six installments of "Saturdays at Saratoga." The change is mainly due to financial reasons.

-- New sponsorships and food offerings. The Shake Shack burger was highly touted.

-- The special events planned for the meet. The Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing (July 31-August 1) and the Travers Festival (August 21-29) are highlights. The meet will also feature two twilight racing cards (July 30 and Sept. 3), a Halloween-themed Friday the 13th card (August 13), a wine festival (August 6) and the return of Mid-Summer St. Patrick's Day (July 29).

-- The annual giveaways: A St. Patrick's-themed Saratoga T-shirt (July 29), a Rachel Alexandra cap (August 8), a Saratoga umbrella (August 22, hoping Murphy's Law will ward off rain on Travers Day) and a Saratoga logo long-sleeved T-shirt (Sept. 5).

For more details and thoughts from various NYRA officials and sponsor representatives, pick up tomorrow's Saratogian. We'll have coverage in both the News and Sports sections.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, in her final work in Kentucky before shipping to New York, went an easy five furlongs in 1:03 Monday morning at Churchill Downs.

The work, the 4-year-old filly's second since getting her first win of 2010 in the Grade II Fleur de Lis, took place over a sloppy track that had been sealed.

Rachel Alexandra is set to ship to trainer Steve Asmussen's barn at the Oklahoma training track on Wednesday. The filly was based there from late June to late September in 2009, shipping out to win the Haskell and also claiming the historic Woodward Stakes, the first female ever to do so.

Last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird fired the fastest of the 26 five furlong works of the morning, going in :59.80.

The gelding will ship to Saratoga on July 12, with his goal being the Whitney Handicap on August 7. The race is shaping up as a showdown between the East's top two older males, Quality Road and Blame.

Also working Monday at Churchill was Rachel Alexandra's stablemate Kensei, who won the Jim Dandy last summer. He went the five furlongs in 1:02. Macho Again, the 2008 Jim Dandy winner who finished third in the Whitney and second to Rachel in the Woodward last summer, went four furlongs in :51.60.

Devil May Care, in her first start since finishing 10th in the Kentucky Derby, took the Grade I Mother Goose Stakes Saturday at Belmont. The filly looked to fairly easily hold off Connie and Michael, with graded winner Biofuel rallying to be third in the five of five after a troubled trip.

Devil May Care, 4-for-7 lifetime, was earning her second Grade I win, with the other the Frizette last fall, also at Belmont. The filly's next objective is the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on opening weekend, followed by the Alabama in August. In the Alabama, Devil May Care could meet Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck, meaning that race could have major divisional implications as a showdown between the best filly from the East and the best from the West.

Todd Pletcher starts a trio of runners, including Grade I winner Devil May Care, in a small but select field of five fillies in today's Grade I Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont.

Devil May care broke her maiden at Saratoga and won the Frizette Stakes last fall at Belmont before taking the Bonnie Miss this spring. The filly inspired enough confidence for the connections to take a shot in the Kentucky Derby, a race only three females have won. Devil May Care made a solid move on the far turn but couldn't sustain it, fading back to 10th. She's making her first start since that race eight weeks ago and will have regular rider Johnny Velazquez aboard.

Devil May Care is using the Mother Goose as a springboard into Saratoga's two major prizes for 3-year-old fillies this summer, the Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24 and the Alabama on August 21. A victory today would establish her as the divisional leader in the East heading into the meet, setting up a potential showdown with the West's best filly, Blind Luck, the Kentucky Oaks winner.

Pletcher also sends out stablemates Ailalea, winner of the Dogwood Stakes, and allowance winner Katy Now. The field is completed by Biofuel, a multiple stakeswinner from Canada, and the brilliantly fast Connie and Michael, who is 2-for-3 lifetime with the only loss coming in her second career start in the Juvenile Fillies.

Four locals were selected to the Thoroughbred Times' inaugural '40 Under 40' list, profiling individuals from all facets of the horse racing industry who are considered leaders for the future. The profiles of its members were published on the Thoroughbred Times website on Thursday and also appear in the June 26 edition of the weekly newsmagazine.

Appearing on the list are:

--Mechanicville native and current Saratoga resident Chad Brown. The trainer, a former assistant to Hall of Famers Shug McGaughey and Bobby Frankel, won with his first Breeders' Cup starter (Maram) in 2008 and is currently conditioning the exciting turf sprinter Silver Timber, 3-for-3 this year.

--Saratoga native Mike McMahon, a bloodstock agent and breeder; his family's McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds is best known as the birthplace of dual classic winner Funny Cide.

--Glens Falls native Travis Stone, the track announcer at Louisiana Downs.

--Troy native Bill Knauf, an administrator at Monmouth Park, which is drawing national attention in the midst of a summer meet offering record purses.

In just under an hour, Souper Spectacular, a half-brother to one of racing's leading ladies, makes his career debut in the second race at Belmont, a six furlong claimer.

The son of Giant's Causeway is out of the Kris S mare Vertigineux. Her most famous daughter is the unbeaten champion Zenyatta (by Street Cry); she has also produced the four-time Grade I winner Balance (by Thunder Gulch) and the stakeswinner Where's Bailey (by Aljabr). Where's Bailey, like Souper Spectacular, was sired by a son of Storm Cat.

Although Balance broke her maiden in November of her 2-year-old season and went on to be a Grade I winner at three, Zenyatta didn't debut until November of her 3-year-old season. Souper Spectacular could be another late bloomer, making his debut in June of his 3-year-old season. The colt is trained by Seth Benzel for Live Oak Plantation and will be ridden today by Rajiv Maragh.

The result:

Souper Spectacular, who needed a bit of encouragement to get in the gate, broke well but quickly dropped back despite urging and spotted the field about six lengths rounding the far turn. Although he made a mild rally to make up some ground late and be fourth in the field of six, he never threatened for a top placing. Since it was his first start, give him a pass and see if he develops - especially going longer - but be cautious about placing much money on him next time out.

With three different 3-year-olds claiming the individual Triple Crown events, the divisional title for 2010 is still wide open. With a number of Triple Crown alums returning to the races recently and some new prospects beginning to emerge, the "second season" has officially begun – and a good deal of the action could play out at Saratoga when the meet opens in just over a month.

Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver has returned to the worktab in recent weeks at Belmont. In his second work since finishing eighth in the Preakness, the colt breezed four furlongs in :50.66 on Sunday. Super Saver is likely headed to the Haskell Invitational on August 1 at Monmouth, where he’ll meet Preakness victor Lookin At Lucky. Super Saver pointing to the Haskell means that Belmont winner Drosselmeyer, who is also owned by WinStar Farm, will likely run in the Jim Dandy, as the connections would like to keep the two separate for prep races before they meet in the Travers on August 28. Also likely for the Jim Dandy is the New York-bred Friend Or Foe, an impressive winner of the Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont on Sunday.

Winslow Homer, who won the Holy Bull Stakes early this year before being knocked off the Triple Crown trial due to injury, returns in Saturday’s Iowa Derby. Should his return go according to plan, the colt will likely return to Saratoga – where he broke his maiden last summer – for the Jim Dandy and Travers.

The lightly raced Afleet Express, making his two-turn debut, defeated a quality field in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth – a race that’s likely to produce some Haskell starters. The son of Afleet Alex improved his record to 3-for-5 lifetime in his two-turn debut, drawing clear in the lane despite going wide on the turn. Runner-up Afleet Again, another son of Afleet Alex, made a similar move but couldn’t keep up and had to settle for second. That colt is just 3-for-12 lifetime, but that includes a win in the Withers, a runner-up effort in the Whirlaway, and a third in the Spend A Buck. Meanwhile, favored Jackson Bend, making his first start since finishing third in the Preakness, faded to fifth after attending the pace. The diminutive colt, coming off a busy spring, was also 12th in the Derby. Finishing behind him in sixth was Preakness ninth-place finisher Schoolyard Dreams.

Paddy O’Prado, third in the Derby and sixth in the Preakness, returned to turf over the weekend and scored an impressive win in the Colonial Turf Cup in Virginia. Expect him to stay on that surface for the time being. Also in the Colonial field was Lane’s End Stakes winner Dean’s Kitten, making his first start since finishing 14th in the Derby. He checked in fifth, just behind Doubles Partner, a regally bred colt who captured the American Turf on Derby weekend. With horses such as these in the mix, the sophomore turf division could prove interesting.

Also trying turf in the last week was Derby fifth-place finisher Noble’s Promise, who finished a credible fifth against a standout European field in the St. James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Discreetly Mine, a colt with multiple stakes wins and placings on his resume, finished second in the Woody Stephens on Belmont Day, his first time out since finishing 13th in the Kentucky Derby. We’ll expect to see him at Saratoga this summer – perhaps, if he remains at sprint distances, in the King’s Bishop.

The speedy Grade III winner Comedero ran his career record to 8-for-9 lifetime with a win in the Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town. Sanford winner Backtalk, in his first start since finishing last in the Derby, was third, while Northern Giant, who ran last in the Preakness, was fourth.

Also returning to action over the weekend was Aikenite, who won an allowance at Aqueduct. The colt was 10th in the Preakness last time out.

One horse we won't be seeing in the second season is Arkansas Derby winner Line Of David. The son of Lion Heart, who finished 18th in the Kentucky Derby after helping to set the pace, has been sold and retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm for 2011.

Last year's Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed six furlongs in 1:13 at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning.

The son of Birdstone, who joined Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas in Kentucky about a month ago, is pointing to the Whitney Handicap August 7 at Saratoga. The race could shape up as a summer showdown between some of the best handicap horses in the East, as Donn and Met Mile winner Quality Road and recent Stephen Foster winner Blame are also pointing to the event.

Prior to the Whitney, Mine That Bird could make hi first start of the year in early July. He is nominated to the Firecracker Handicap on the turf on July 4, the closing day of the Churchill Downs spring/summer meet, as well as the Salvator Mile at Monmouth a day earlier.

Rachel Alexandra turned in her first breeze since earning her first win of the season on Monday morning at Churchill Downs, covering four furlongs in :51.20 while under restraint.

The reigning Horse of the Year easily dispatched of a small field of outmatched rivals in winning the Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap on June 12. It was her first win of 2010 following back-to-back losses.

Rachel Alexandra is likely to make her return to Saratoga, where she was based last summer, within the next week or so. Trainer Steve Asmussen said in a release from Churchill Downs that he'd been planning to ship the filly north on July 5, but is likely to move those travel plans up several days because of the muggy weather that has settled in Louisville.

Although no target has been announced for Rachel Alexandra's next race, obvious options include the Ruffian at Saratoga on August 1, and the Personal Ensign the day after the Travers. Both are Grade I events.

Unleashing her trademark heart-stopping rally, Zenyatta nailed graded winner St. Trinians in the final strides to win the Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park on Sunday, remaining undefeated in 17 starts.

The win gives Zenyatta the modern record for the longest win streak against top level competition not restricted to state-breds. Triple Crown winner Citation, Puerto Rican standout Mister Frisky and two-time Horse of the Year Cigar all won 16 consecutive races. Citation's streak was accomplished from 1948-50, Mister Frisky's from 1989-90 and Cigar's from 1994-96.

Since her career debut on Nov. 22, 2007, Zenyatta's streak has now lasted just shy of 31 months. The streak includes 11 Grade I victories - including the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic and the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic - and four Grade II wins. Zenyatta has won on four tracks - although 15 of her starts have come at the three majors tracks on the California circuit, she has also shipped to Oaklawn Park to win two editions of the Grade I Apple Blossom on the track's conventional dirt surface.

A stone-cold closer, the 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry was unhurried out of the gate in Sunday's Vanity, trailing the other five mares in the field as longshots Cherryblossommiss and Miss Silver Brook set an honest pace. Zenyatta, with regular rider Mike Smith up, began to make up ground on her own leaving the backside, but as usual was forced to circle the field, going widest of all turning for home.

Meanwhile, St Trinians, winner of the Grade II Santa Maria earlier this year over Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner Life Is Sweet, took the lead at the top of the stretch. Carrying 120 pounds to highweight Zenyatta's 129, St. Trinians held a 2 1/2 length lead with a furlong to go. Under urging from Smith, Zenyatta rallied furiously in the final strides to get up and beat St. Trinians by a half length, stopping the clock in 1:49.01 for nine furlongs.

As Zenyatta looks for her 17th consecutive victory tonight, here's a quick look at those she will be trying to best in the history books.

Citation

Citation gave notice early that he would be a star. The champion 2-year-old and 2-year-old colt of 1947, he won 12 of his first 13 career starts in 1947-48, with the only loss in that span coming by a neck to eventual champion filly Bewitch. Following a rough trip that over a poor track that resulted in a loss to longshot Saggy in the Chesapeake Trial, Citation, with Eddie Arcaro aboard, kicked off his win streak in some of America's most prestigious events.

He rebounded from his loss by capturing the Chesapeake Stakes five days later, on April 17, 1948. In another quick turnaround, more common for horses of his era, he won the Derby Trial on April 27, then the Kentucky Derby on May 1. After taking the Preakness, Citation made a quick side trip to New Jersey to take the Jersey Derby before winning the Belmont, becoming the eighth horse to sweep the Triple Crown.

That summer, he won the Stars and Stripes Handicap against older horses, an allowance race, the American Derby and then the Sysonby Mile to run the streak to 10. He won the two-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont in early October, then two weeks later, won the similarly-named mile and five eigths Gold Cup (also known as the International). Thirteen days later, no horses could be found to challenge Citation, who won the Pimlico Special in a walkover.

It was off to California for the remainder of the 1948 season. Citation won an allowance race at Tanforan on Dec. 3, then captured that track's signature event, the Tanforan Handicap, by five lengths on Dec. 11. But that would be his last trip to the starting gate for a long time, as he emerged from the win with an osslet, a stress injury.

Citation would make his return to the races exactly 13 months later, winning an allowance at Santa Anita on Jan. 11, 1950. But the win streak would come to an end just 15 days later, as Miche, carrying 114 pounds to Citation's 130, would edge the champion by a neck in a handicap at Santa Anita.

Altogether, Citation's win streak included victories at nine different tracks, ranging at distances from six furlongs to two miles. The most weight he car¬ried during the streak was 126 pounds, six times - although to be fair, the majority of his streak came as a 3-year-old, with 126 being the classic impost for that division. Arcaro was aboard for all but two of the wins.

Citation retired in 1951 as rac¬ing's first millionaire, with earn¬ings of $1,085,760, and a career mark of 45-32-10-2. Remarkably, his record includes 22 stakes wins and eight runner-up efforts. For that brilliant 1948 season, he was named Horse of the Year, champion 3-year-old, champion 3-year-old colt and champion handicap horse. He was inducted into the National Racing Museum’s Hall of Fame in 1959.

Mister Frisky

Mister Frisky, a Florida-bred, began his career in Puerto Rico, where he set the tracks on fire by winning his first 13 races. This included victories in prestigious stakes in that country, such as the Clasico Santiago Iglesias Pantin and Clasico Juan Orlando Herrero. He also won the Clasico Dia de Reyes by 10 lengths, breaking the track record for seven furlongs. Overall, he set two track records and equaled another at El Comandante.

The brilliant colt was then brought to the United States in early 1990 to see if he could make a run at the Triple Crown events. He ran roughshod over his opponents in the California prep races, scoring victories in the San Vicinte Stakes, San Rafael Stakes and Santa Anita Derby to stamp himself as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

But Mister Frisky, bringing that 16-race win streak into Kentucky, finished eighth behind Unbridled, then third behind Summer Squall in the Preakness. A few days later, an abscess was found in his esophagus, an issue believed to be at least partially responsible for those losses.

Mister Frisky would recover from the medical problem and returned the following year to finish third in a sprint at Del Mar and second in an allowance to the Belmont winner Go And Go. A member of the Puerto Rican Hall of Fame, he concluded his career with a record of 20-16-1-2.

Cigar

Unlike Citation and Mister Frisky, Cigar didn't flash many early hints of his future stardom. Despite breaking his maiden on the main track, the son of Palace Music competed on the turf for much of his early career, winning just once in 11 starts. He was transferred to trainer Bill Mott in 1994, who eventually moved him back to the dirt. Cigar signaled his affinity for the surface by winning an allowance at Aqueduct by open lengths on Oct. 28, 1994. From there, it was straight to the Grade I NYRA Mile (a race even¬tually renamed in his honor), which he also won by daylight.

The big bay would return in 1995 to run a perfect 10-for-10 campaign. He began by taking an allowance at Gulfstream Park, then back-to-back Grade Is there in the Donn and the Gulfstream Park Handicap. His next four starts all came against stakes company at different tracks, in the Oaklawn Handicap, Pimlico Special, Massachusetts Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup.

Then it was home to New York in the fall, where he won the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He finished the campaign with a smashing victory in then-record time in the Breeders' Cup Classic over a muddy Belmont strip.

The 1995 campaign earned Cigar his first Horse of the Year title, as well as Eclipse champion older male, but with the streak at 12, he returned as a 6-year-old for one more season. He began with a second edition of the Donn. Then it was halfway around the world to run in the inaugural Dubai World Cup, at Nad al Sheba in the United Arab Emirates. Despite missed training time leading up to the race, Cigar gallantly held off fellow American Soul of the Matter to win.

Cigar then won a second edition of the Massachusetts Handicap. His 16th straight win came in the Arlington Citation Challenge, a special stakes event carded by Arlington Park in Chicago, on July 13, 1996.

But a month later, on August 10, the streak ended, as Dare of Go defeated Cigar, who was softened up by a hot early pace, in the Pacific Classic. Cigar’s streak had lasted nearly 14 months and had taken him to nine tracks, in seven states and Dubai, carrying weights of up to 130 pounds.

Cigar would retire that fall with a lifetime record of 33-19-4-5 (22-18-2-1 on the dirt) and earnings of $9,999,815, then a record for a North American runner. He was once again named Horse of the Year and champion older male for 1996.

Cigar was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, his first year of eligibility.

_______________

Other notable American win streaks include:

Hallowed Dreams

This Louisiana-bred filly also claimed 16 consecutive races, but isn't considered in the same class as those listed above because her wins came exclusively against state-restricted competition within her home state. Hallowed Dreams began her career with a maiden win on May 20, 1999 and racked up 16 straight wins from there during her two and three year old campaigns, mostly in Louisiana-bred stakes against fillies - although she did beat the boys in the D.S. "Shine Young Memorial Futurity in 1999. She scored her 16th straight victory with a win in the Tellike Handicap on June 3, 2000 at Evangeline. But she finished third in the Fantasia Stakes on June 25 to end her streak. She would retire in 2002 with a record of 30-25-1-3 and earnings of $740,144.

Peppers Pride

This mare officially holds the record for the longest American winning streak, retiring unbeaten in 19 starts. However, much like Hallowed Dreams, Peppers Pride raced only against other New Mexico-bred females in sprints within her home state. The mare made her debut on July 16, 2005, winning at Ruidoso by four and a half lengths. She immediately moved up to stakes company, finishing her 2-year-old campaign with wins in the Rio Grande Senorita Futurity and the New Mexico Cup Juvenile Fillies. She won the first start of her 3-year old campaign in January but was then laid up until October, when she returned to win her final three starts of the season. She went a perfect 7-for-7 as a 4-year-old, concluding with a win in the New Mexico State Racing Commission Handicap, to push her career mark to 14-for-14. In 2008, Peppers Pride began the year with wins in the Sydney Valenti Handicap and the Russell and Hellen Foutz Distaff Handicap, then notched her 17th straight win in an allowance/optional claiming event at Zia Park on Oct. 4, 2008. She won the New Mexico Cup Fillies and Mares Stakes that November. Peppers Pride then concluded her career with another victory in the New Mexico State Racing Commission on Dec. 14, 2008, winning by nearly six lengths under highweight of 126 pounds, giving between seven and thirteen pounds to her rivals. She retired with a perfect 19-for-19 mark and earnings of $1,066,085.

Colin

Colin was an unbeaten champion early in the twentieth century, when horses are often asked to carry weights higher than they are today and run at farther distances. His unbeaten career occurred at distances from five furlongs to a mile and three eighths, and he was asked to tote 129 pounds on multiple occasions - including twice as a 2-year-old. Colin began his career in 1907, breaking his maiden, winning the National Stallion Stakes and taking the Eclipse Stakes, all at Belmont in a span from May 29 to June 5. He won the Great Trial Stakes and the Brighton Junior before coming to Saratoga to take the Saratoga Special on August 10, then the Grand Union Hotel Stakes four days later. He finished the campaign with wins in the Futurity, Flatbush, Produce, Matron and Champagne. Colin didn't start in 1908 until the Withers Stakes in late May, but he won that, and then the Belmont a week later, defeating Preakness winner Fair Play both times. He then closed out his career with a win that June in the Tidal Stakes, finishing with a perfect 15-for-15 record and earnings of $181,610. The biggest purse he raced for was $26,640 in the Futurity.

Personal Ensign

The horse to whom Zenyatta is most often compared, Personal Ensign, regarded as one of the greatest racemares in American history, closed out her career unbeaten. Personal Ensign won her maiden by 12 lengths on Sept. 28, 1986 at Belmont, then won the Grade I Frizette by a head in her very next start. But the filly fractured her left rear pastern in a workout, ending her season and, as some thought, her racing career. But trainer Shug McGaughey was able to bring the filly back, and she returned as a 3-year-old in fall 1987 to win two allowance races, then the Grade II Rare Perfume and the Grade I Beldame, all at Belmont, making her 6-for-6 lifetime. Personal Ensign's crowning accomplishments took place during her 4-year-old season in 1988. She won back-to-back Grade Is at Belmont in the Shuvee and Hempstead, then won the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth, her first race outside of New York, by eight lengths. Personal Ensign returned to New York to beat males Gulch and King's Swan in the Whitney at Saratoga. She beat Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors by 3/4 of a length in the Maskette, then won the Beldame for a second straight year. Personal Ensign would conclude her career in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs, against the likes of Winning Colors and Kentucky Oaks winner and multiple Grade I-winner Goodbye Halo. Personal Ensign trailed the field early and struggled throughout with the muddy, sticky track, while Winning Colors loped along on an easy lead over the track she had won the Kentucky Derby on. Personal Ensign made her move rounding the far turn. In midstretch, she still appeared hopelessly beaten with Goodbye Halo and Winning Colors to catch. She gradually wore down Goodbye Halo, then nailed Winning Colors in the final jump for a stirring victory. Personal Ensign retired 13-for-13 with earnings of $1,679,880.

Should Zenyatta win today’s Grade I Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, she will notch her 17th consecutive victory, breaking the modern American record for top-level victories against competition not restricted to state breds.

Triple Crown winner Citation, Puerto Rican superstar Mister Frisky and two-time Horse of the Year Cigar all won 16 consecutive races. But they all failed to do what Zenyatta will attempt today - notch No. 17.

After winning her first two starts, a maiden and an allowance, in late 2007, Zenyatta put together back-to-back unbeaten campaigns against graded stakes company to earn two Eclipse Awards as champion older female.

Under the guidance of trainer John Shirreffs, the mare went 7-for-7 in 2008, including a win over defending divisional champion Ginger Punch in the Apple Blossom. She ended the year with a dominant win in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic.

Zenyatta returned to go 5-for-5 in 2009, all in graded races on the California circuit. The mare had her closest brush with defeat last summer, as she had to rally furiously to just catch longshot Anaaba’s Creation in a photo in the Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar.

Zenyatta ended the year with a showstopping victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In the process, she became the first female ever to win the Classic, the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races and the highest earning North American female of all time.

Owners Jerry and Ann Moss originally planned to retire Zenyatta following the 2009 season, but in January, they announced they would return their star mare to the track for another year.

Zenyatta returned to the races in March with a victory in the Santa Margarita Handicap, despite having to work her way through traffic in the stretch. She then made a return trip to Arkansas to win another Apple Blossom in April. Although many have criticized Zenyatta because the majority of her races have come over the synthetic surfaces that are mandated in California, both Apple Blossom victories came over the conventional dirt track at Oaklawn.

Today, Zenyatta is looking for an unprecedented third straight win in the Vanity. She carries high weight of 129 pounds, giving between nine and 17 pounds to her five rivals, and drew post 5 under regular rider Mike Smith.

After coming to America last year, the British-bred St. Trini¬ans won her first four starts in California, culminating in a victory over last year’s Ladies’ Classic winner Life Is Sweet in the Grade II Santa Maria. The diminutive mare then finished sixth against males in the Santa Anita Handicap in March.

The red-hot Martin Garcia, who won the Preakness with Lookin At Lucky during his debut season in the Triple Crown series, will be aboard for trainer Mike Mitchell. St. Trinians breaks from post 2 under 120 pounds.

Zardana, trained by Shirreffs but owned by Arnold Zetcher, drew post 3 under Victor Espinoza and carries 118 pounds today. Winner of the Bayakoa at Hollywood Park in December, Zardana knocked off Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies in March. But most recently, she was fifth in the La Troienne at Churchill Downs.

The other three entrants are all looking to pick up some black type, as none have ever won a graded stakes.

Will O Way (Tyler Baze, post 4) is multiple graded placed but making her first start since January; Miss Silver Brook (Joe Talamo, rail) was unplaced in two graded tries; and Cherryblossommiss (Rafael Bejarano, post 6) was well up the track in her only graded start.

Post time for the Vanity is set for 7:37 p.m. Eastern.

In a textbook performance, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra earned her first win of the season on Saturday, drawing off for an easy victory in the Grade II Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.

After two straight runner-up efforts - although by slim margins - to start 2010, the filly finally returned to the winner's circle with a performance so similar to what fans often saw from her in her unbeaten 2009 campaign.

With regular rider Calvin Borel up, Rachel raced on the outside of pacesetter Jessica Is Back through fairly brisk early fractions. She took the lead under a loose rein midway on the far turn, then under mild urging from Borel, repelled a rally from Distinctive Dixie in upper stretch. She drew away to win by 10½ lengths under a hand ride while geared down in the final furlong.

Rachel stopped the clock in 1:48.78 for the nine furlongs. Interestingly, her time was faster than the 1:49.37 clocked by Blame in winning the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap against a solid field of older males about two hours later.

Granted, Rachel Alexandra, who carried highweight of 124 pounds, was expected to win with ease. On paper, she towered over her four rivals, who had just one graded win between them. Still, after this season's early losses, it was gratifying to see her return to the 'W' column. Bigger things, and an expected return to Saratoga, could be ahead.

In another noteworthy development, Rachel Alexandra had run her first two races of 2010 in a figure eight noseband, a bridle worn by many of Steve Asmussen’s trainees that is designed to help a horse relax and soften its carriage. For Saturday’s race, the filly was without the figure eight and back in the plain bridle she ran in last year.

____________ In the Stephen Foster, Blame ran down morning line favorite Battle Plan to notch his fourth consecutive stakes win. Battle Plan, the regally bred son of Belmont winner Empire Maker and the champion filly Flanders, had things all his own way on the front end and kicked clear by open lengths in midstretch. But Blame unleashed a furious rally in the final furlong to win by three-quarters of a length, snapping Battle Plan’s four-race win streak. Take nothing away from either of the top two finishers. The 4-year-old Blame, winner of six of his last seven races, won the Fayette at Keeneland and the Clark at Churchill last fall, then took the William Donald Schaefer at Pimlico in his first start of the year. His next start is likely to be the Whitney at Saratoga.

____________

Speaking of horses we'll see at Saratoga, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver returned to the worktab this morning, breezing four furlongs in :49.21 at Belmont. It was his first work since finishing eighth in the Preakness. The colt is expected to run next in the Jim Dandy or the Haskell before contesting the Travers.

After losing the first two starts of her 4-year-old campaign, Rachel Alexandra goes for her first win of 2010 in today’s Grade II, $200,000-added Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Rachel Alexandra ran a perfect 8-for-8 campaign last year, including Grade I victories over males at three different tracks — the Preakness at Pimlico, the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth and the Woodward at Saratoga. She also earned dominant 20-length victories over her own sex in the Kentucky Oaks and the Mother Goose.

In March, Rachel Alexandra returned from a layoff of six-plus months in the New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds. She finished second by three-quarters of a length to graded winner Zardana. Off the layoff and with trainer Steve Asmussen admitting his charge wasn’t yet completely fit, many were willing to give the champion a mulligan.

But in the La Troienne at Churchill on April 30, Rachel Alexandra finished second by a head after a prolonged stretch battle with Unrivaled Belle.

Majority owner Jess Jackson nominated Rachel Alexandra to four stakes races this weekend and finally selected the Fleur de Lis earlier in the week. The race drew just four other entrants, all of whom Rachel Alexandra, the highweight at 124 pounds, towers over on paper. The filly breaks from post 4 under regular rider Calvin Borel and, barring poor racing luck, appears to have no excuses.

Made for Magic, who got in with 117 pounds, has two wins in seven starts this year, including the Grade II Milady Handicap in her most recent outing. The 5-year-old mare breaks from post 2 under Omar Berrio.

Trainer Marty Wolfson ships in Jessica Is Back, who hasn’t been off the board in three stakes starts this year. She won the listed Ocala Stakes two back and finished second in the Grade III Sixty Sails Handicap last time out. Garrett Gomez is in the irons and they leave from post 5.

Multipass (Jose Lezcano, rail) and Distinctive Dixie (Robby Albarado, post 3) are seeking their first stakes wins. Multipass finished third in an allowance/optional claimer last out and hasn’t been on the board against graded company. Distinctive Dixie, coming off a fourth-place finish in the La Troienne, is 2-for-4 at Churchill.

Rachel Alexandra is the star attraction on the undercard of the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap, a $600,000-added event that has drawn some of the best older males in training. The morning-line favorite is the regally-bred Battle Plan, who has won four straight for Todd Pletcher since returning from an injury. Most recently, he earned a frontrunning victory in the Grade II New Orleans Handicap in March.

The son of Belmont winner Empire Maker, out of champion filly and Grade I producer Flanders, drew post 2 for the nine furlong race. Javier Castellano is in the irons.

The co-highweights at 120 pounds — a pound more than Battle Plan — are Blame, Arson Squad, and General Quarters. Blame (Gomez, post 11), winner of the Clark last fall at Churchill Downs, comes in off a victory in his 2010 debut, the William Donald Schaefer at Pimlico on Preakness weekend. The millionaire and multiple graded winner Arson Squad (Paco Lopez, post 5) hasn’t been unplaced in four starts this year, with a win in the Alysheba at Churchill last time out. General Quarters (Alex Solis, post 6) is looking for a Grade I win on dirt to go with his scores on synthetic in the 2009 Blue Grass and turf last time out in the Woodford Reserve.

Also in the field is defending champion Macho Again, a multiple graded winner who breaks from the nine under regular rider Albarado.

A.U. Miner (Francisco Torres, rail), Giant Oak (Shaun Bridgmohan, post 3), Duke of Mischief (Eibar Coa, post 4), Honest Man (Lezcano, post 7), No Advantage (Borel, post 8) and Demarcation (Miguel Mena, post 10) complete the field.

In addition to the Fleur de Lis and the Foster, Churchill Downs will card three other graded stakes this afternoon: The Grade III Jefferson Cup for 3-year-olds on the turf; the Grade III Regret for 3-year-old fillies on the turf; and the Grade III Northern Dancer for 3-year-olds on the main track.

The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships will be held at Churchill Downs in 2011.

The announcement was made Friday morning at the track by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear; Breeders' Cup chairman William S. Farish Jr. and president/CEO Greg Avioli; Churchill Downs Inc. president/CEO Robery Evans and COO Bill Carstanjen; and Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery.

Churchill Downs will also host the Breeders' Cup this fall, on Nov. 5-6. Next year's event, on Nov. 4-5, will mark the first time the Breeders' Cup has been held at Churchill in consecutive years. This comes on the heels of back-to-back host years for Santa Anita, in 2008 and 2009.

The Breeders' Cup has been held at Churchill Downs more times than at any other track. The championships were previously run in 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000 and 2006; the 2010 and 2011 events push the total to eight.

The uncertain situations with racing in New York and California helped contribute to the decision. Belmont, a four-time host site, seemed due to get the 'Cup back, but NYRA's financial status remains uncertain. On the opposite coast, the contract for the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet was recently cancelled until 2016 and the track is also considering a surface switch.