Rachel and Rachel, Rachel

Bits And Pieces (The Dave Clark Five, 1964)

Bits: She's a leading lady, all right, perhaps even thoroughbred racing's version of a leading lady the stature of Joanne Woodward. So what's the connection? None, other than it was Woodward who won a Golden Globe award as best actress for her portrayal of a repressed school teacher living with her overbearing mother who suddenly gets a man in her life during summer vacation in the 1968 movie ``Rachel, Rachel.''
And now there's Rachel Alexandra, kept away from the boys by her previous owners, who suddenly has a new owner, beats the boys in the Preakness in the spring and is looking forward to a great summer season and eventually a breeding session with her new owners' top stallion, Curlin.

And don't worry, Rachel Alexandra _ only 3 _ will pick up awards of her own on the way to her date with 2-time Horse of the Year Curlin (sort of the Paul Newman of the male horsey set _ Paul was Joanne's husband for those keeping score) ... Soon to be in common: Appearances in Vogue Magazine _ Joanne's photo has appeared in the mag thousands of times with and without Paul: Rachel Alexandra's Vogue debut is scheduled for the August issue.


Pieces: An offer to purchase Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was turned down by co-owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach earlier this week, trainer Chip Woolley reports. ``I'm happy. I spent 25 years looking for this horse and I sure didn't want to lose him.'' The potential buyer was not identified _ whoever that is. Chances are it wasn't Jess Jackson, the Kendall-Jackson Wines co-founder who bought Rachel with the intention of breeding her to Curlin _ to provide racing with a superhorse. Mine That Bird is a gelding. ... Todd Pletcher is now training Quality Road, who won 3-of-4 starts, including the Florida Derby, for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. Not a quality move, Mr. owner, Edward Evans, unless there is something we don't know about, which is likely the case _ the horse has a quarter crack less than a week before the Derby, Edward ... And no one is more horse-health conscious than Jimmy Jerkens.