Then I saw her race, now I’m a believer.

With apologies to The Monkees for slightly altering a line from one of their hit songs — and to all of humanity for referencing the 1960s version of The Jonas Brothers in a sports column, that sentiment aptly describes my feelings toward Rachel Alexandra.

After watching the gallant gal overcome a reasonably quick pace (-7 ESR) and a wide journey into the first turn courtesy of John Velazquez aboard Big Drama, it was hard not to be impressed by Rachel’s magnificent performance in the Preakness Stakes last weekend. While Velazquez and his mount may have won Best Sequel for their uncanny impersonations of Angel Cordero and Codex in the 1980 Preakness (in which another filly, Genuine Risk, was also floated wide on the turn) it was Calvin Borel and Rachel Alexandra that won the war on Saturday.

What’s more, Jess Jackson’s newest stable star recorded a -7 LSR in winning the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the best such figure since Smarty Jones posted a -6 in 2004.

“It puts her right up there with some special company,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “She's a tremendous machine.”

Rachel Alexandra was the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924.

A Filly More Dominant Than Rachel Alexandra?

If you think Rachel Alexandra dominates her division, take a peek at Saturday’s CRE Run Oaks at Delaware Park. A grade 1 event for four-year-old Arabian fillies, the Oaks lured Dixies Valentine, a female phenomenon, who, like Rachel before the Preakness, has won seven of her 10 lifetime starts, including a 19-length score in her 2009 debut. 

Cherokee Artist Looks Best in Hanshin Cup Handicap

Although he’s yet to win a graded stakes race, I think Cherokee Artist looks like the one to beat in Saturday’s Grade 3 Hanshin Cup Handicap at Arlington Park. After a promising start to his career that included runner-up finishes in both the Grade 2 Ohio Derby at Thistledown and the Grade 3 Barbaro at Delaware Park last spring, Cherokee Artist subsequently struggled.

However, since finishing ninth at odds of 56-1 in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on Feb.7, the son of Cherokee Run appears to have gotten his groove back. On March 7, Cherokee Artist posted a 93 Beyer and -1 LSR in annexing a $62,500 optional claiming affair at Santa Anita and, in his latest start on April 24, the four-year-old earned an 87 Beyer and -3 LSR in another optional claiming score at Keeneland.

Other Hanshin contenders include last year’s champ Coragil Cat, former grade 1 winner Dominican and the hard-knocking Stonehouse.

Music to My Ears

Jkmusicofthenite, who was disqualified for interfering with Special Sweetheart in a qualifying heat for the New Jersey Sire Stakes last weekend, looks like a solid choice in her second NJSS go-round on Friday at The Meadowlands. The three-year-old filly is a Key Selection on my Win Factor line at odds of 6-5 or greater (Jkmusicofthenite is listed at 7/2 on the morning line).

Other race contenders include Precious Stone (9-2 fair odds), Amora Hanover (10-1) and Cammy's Heart (12-1).

For more free picks, be sure to listen to this week’s Simon Says podcast.