Rachel Alexendra Will Try to Avenge Genuine Risk's Loss in Preakness in 1980

In 1980, Genuine Risk made headlines worldwide by becoming the first filly since 1915 to win the Kentucky Derby. Like Genuine Risk 29 years ago, super-filly Rachel Alexendra will try to break a long losing streak for her gender in a Triple Crown race and become the first lady winner of the Preakness Stakes since 1924. Some thought that Genuine Risk was robbed of her chance to become the first female Triple Crown winner after a bumping incident down the stretch in the middle leg of the Triple Crown.

Jacinto Vasquez, who had to settle for second place on the filly, said after the race:

"I thought this was a race track, not a rodeo".

"He hit my horse over her head with the whip. He came out and bumped me and took me to the outside fence. And after that, she stopped running."

"I don't want to see the rerun on the films. I know what he did. He went out and and bumped me and threw my horse off stride. The rules should be obeyed whether its the Preakness or any other stakes race. And the rules say you should race a straight course".

Headlines read "A Preakness Purse-Snatching" and death threats were made to winning jockey Angel Cordero's life. Cordero denied any wrongdoing. The matter went to court but the judicial system ruled that Codex, did in fact, win the race.

Like Genuine Risk, Rachel Alexandra has been pegged as the favorite in the "Run For the Black Eyed Susans". Will she ceremoniously win one for the girls?

Here is a video of the race from 1980 that caused so much controversy: