These Are The Days of Our Lives....

This week on the Triple Crown Trail has turned into one of the biggest soap operas in quite a while. In essence, the episode began after Rachel Alexandra won the Oaks in dominating fashion.

The next day, after pulled a huge 50-1 upset in the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, jockey Calvin Borel said if he were confronted with the choice of which horse to ride, he would choose the filly.

Meanwhile, little did almost all of us know that there were secret negotiations ongoing to sell Rachel Alexandra to a consortium headed up by Jess Jackson, best known for owning superstar Curlin and the Kendall-Jackson Vinieries.

On Wednesday, Jackson completed the deal for the superstar filly (the final sales price will probably news be known but it's been reported at $10 million and that sounds about right.) Once the deal was announced, the speculation hit warp speed (that's for you Star Trek fans) about Rachel running in the Preakness. Jackson apparently already gave the idea serious thought but he wasn't tipping his hand quite yet. Entering his filly in the Preakness would cost him $100,000 as she wasn't nominated to the Triple Crown.

On Thursday morning, around 5:15. Rachel Alexandra walked out of trainer Hal Wiggins' barn for the final time and walked into the barn of Steve Asmussen.

“She’s a tremendously fast filly,” Asmussen said. “Hal (Wiggins) and his team did a tremendous job with her. We just got her today and we have no timetable or any plans to announce at this time.” Asmussen kept his mouth shut about the future for his new star pupil but that didn't the rest of us from talking about it. Through all of this, no one quite knew where this put Borel. The jockey who had been aboard for so many of Rachel Alexandra's victories could suddenly be left out in the cold. Borel and Asmussen have not teamed up much over their lengthy careers - just 52 times.

A lot of people assumed that Asmussen and Jackson would choose the jockey that delivered so many times aboard Curlin - Robby Albarado. But, there was no news all day on Thursday. That all changed on Friday when Jackson announced he would all but enter Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and her regular pilot would remain in the saddle.

“It came down the fact that he knows and loves this horse, that he knows how to get the most from her and he knows how to win,” Jackson said “We think this is a perfect match of rider and horse.” Borel, who has called Rachel Alexandra the best horse he's ever ridden, could not have been happier with the news.

“We’re very happy to have the opportunity to continue to ride Rachel Alexandra,” said Borel. “I’ve had the chance to ride some great horses, but she is one of the most special horses I’ve ever been around. I appreciate the faith that Mr. Jackson and Mr. McCormick have shown in me, and we can’t wait to be there wherever she runs next.”

So, what about the little ol' Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird? Trainer Chip Woolley had been preparing for the worst all week and had been in touch with other jockeys. Rumors swirled that Mike Smith would take over for Borel but he too was tight lipped about it. Once the news come out on Friday about Rachel Alexandra, Woolley was not giving up on Borel. He said that he will still name Borel on Mine That Bird on Wednesday when he enters the Derby winner into the Preakness. The only thing that could stop him: Jackson ponying up the $100,000 fee.

Preakness Week could turn into racing’s version of sweeps week if Rachel runs: she’s a great story and, though she’d spoil another Triple Crown, a win for her in the Preakness, would bring untold amounts of publicity.

This soap opera will undoubtedly continue over the next few days but all of this attention is a great shot in the arm for racing.