Good Cheer remains undefeated with G2 Rachel Alexandra rout

Leading Kentucky Oaks hopeful Good Cheer enjoyed the ideal start to her three-year-old campaign as she maintained her unbeaten record with the minimum of fuss in the G2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds, USA, on Saturday, 15 February. 

The Brad Cox-trained filly, making her first start since winning November’s G2 Golden Rod Stakes, raced in last of the four runners initially before moving up a spot after the first quarter-mile. 

Bless The Broken relegated Good Cheer to a close last leaving the back, and the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro had to bide her time for an opening to appear at the top of the straight. 

Good Cheer stayed on powerfully after being angled out by Luis Saez and collared Gowells Delight just inside the final furlong. 

The Godolphin homebred streaked clear under minimal persuasion to score by an easy six and a quarter lengths, taking her record to five wins from as many starts. 

She becomes the third consecutive filly in the royal blue silks to win the Rachel Alexandra Stakes following Pretty Mischievous, who went on to capture the Kentucky Oaks in 2023, and last year’s scorer Tarifa. 

Brad Cox said: “Good Cheer was dominant. We ran against what signed up for the race, but she is really good and the longer, the better.” 

Luis Saez said: “It was a pretty nice trip. We knew that we were going to be behind horses and I wasn’t worried because I knew that I had a lot of horse. If I had let Good Cheer really run, she would have won by more, but we tried to take care of her and save her for the big races.”