LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fans were chanting “Rachel’s back!” But jockey Calvin Borel wanted to see for himself.
From his perch aboard Rachel Alexandra during the stretch run of the Fleur de Lis Handicap on Saturday at Churchill Downs, Borel took one look behind him and saw the gap between Rachel and the rest of the field growing with every step.
That’s when he knew the fans were right. Horse of the year Rachel Alexandra was, indeed, back.
“You’ve got to give her a chance,” Borel said. “She did the impossible as a 3-year-old, and I think you’re going to see a big future.”
The 1-10 favorite dominated a field of five fillies and mares, roaring to a 10 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 race. Distinctive Dixie and Jessica Is Back faded to finish second and third.
Aggies run away with titles
EUGENE, Ore. — Texas A&M won the men’s and women’s team titles at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships for the second consecutive year.
The men pulled in front after a victory in the 4 x 400-meter relay. The Aggies were even in the points with host Oregon going into the event, which the Ducks did not run. Florida finished second.
The women were boosted by a 1-2 finish in the 200 meters earlier in the day. They finished ahead of Oregon, to the disappointment of the home crowd of 12,812 at historic Hayward Field.
Contador wins Dauphine stage
L’ALPE D’HUEZ, France — Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador won the toughest stage of the Criterium du Dauphine Libere after beating race leader Janez Brajkovic in a two-man sprint.
Contador launched several attacks in the final ascent, but Brajkovic responded to all of them. With a strong headwind in the final section, the Spaniard stayed on Brajkovic’s wheel and overtook the Slovenian in the last 50 meters.
Brajkovic retained the overall lead, 1 minute, 41 seconds ahead of Contador. American Tejay Van Garderen is third overall, 2:41 back.
• Fabian Cancellara won the prologue of the Tour of Switzerland in Lugano, and Lance Armstrong finished far back in 44th place.
Federer to face Hewitt in final
HALLE, Germany — Roger Federer won his 29th consecutive match at the Gerry Weber Open, beating Germany’s Philipp Petzschner 7-6 (3), 6-4 to reach the final of the Gerry Weber Open against Lleyton Hewitt, who defeated Germany’s Benjamin Becker 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-2 to reach his first final of 2010.
• Americans Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish will meet in the Queen’s Club final in London after posting semifinal victories.
Mercury tops Shock
PHOENIX — Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree scored 18 points each as the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Tulsa Shock 116-84, giving the defending WNBA champions consecutive wins for the first time this season.
• Monique Currie scored 20 points to lead the Washington Mystics to an 82-65 victory over the New York Liberty.
