Rachel Alexandra wins the Lady's Secret by three lengths

OCEANPORT, NJ (AP) - Rachel Alexandra kept cool on a wilting afternoon at Monmouth Park, defeating six rivals Saturday in the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes for fillies and mares.

It was the second straight win for the reigning Horse of the Year following a pair of losses to start the season.

Rachel Alexandra beat the heat, in addition to the competition, as temperatures pushed into the upper 90s. Combined with the humidity, the heat index topped 100.

Calvin Borel was aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen as Rachel Alexandra beat Queen Martha by three lengths. Queen Martha, the second choice at 8-1, set the pace with Rachel Alexandra tracking in second. They hooked up on the final turn with Rachel Alexandra taking charge at the top of the lane before pulling clear in the deep stretch.

"We're very pleased with her, how she ran today," said Asmussen. "It was an awfully warm day and she kept her composure. She was very relaxed off the other mare. The first thing Calvin said when he came off her was that he loved how she came home today. I think that will be the key to her future success."

Her next start will be decided next week when Asmussen meets with owner Jess Jackson in Saratoga.

It was a triumphant return to Monmouth where Rachel Alexandra beat the boys last summer in the $1 million Haskell Invitational, one of the key victories that propelled her to the championship in an 8-0 campaign.

After a slow start this season with a pair of a narrow loses, Rachel Alexandra seems back to her old dominant self. She rolled to a 10 1/2 length win in her previous outing, the Fleur De Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs.

To lure Rachel Alexandra back to Monmouth, the Lady's Secret underwent a major overhaul. The race was originally slated for Aug. 1 with a purse of $150,000. The additional $250,000 was contingent on Rachel Alexandra competing in the race. The distance was also lengthened from 1 1-16 miles to 1 1-8.

The race comes a week before the Haskell, which will feature Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky.

The time was 1:49.78.

The 1-10 favorite, Rachel Alexandra paid $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10. Queen Martha returned $2.80 and $2.40. Ask the Moon paid $3.80 to show.

Stage Trick was fourth followed by Hark, Yes She's a Lady and Fabulous Babe.