Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years, beating out Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who made a late charge from last place but finished second.

Calvin Borel became the first jockey to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown on different horses. He rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Kentucky Derby, but switched horses so he could ride Rachael Alexandra, who was an 8/5 favorite coming into the Preakness.

Borel said after the race that the 3-year old filly struggled with the surface, but was quick to note that Rachael Alexandra was the greatest horse he’s ever been on in his life.

Owners from different horses knew the threat Rachael Alexandra was coming into the Preakness, because some contemplated entering more horses in order to keep her out from the 13-horse field. One of those owners was Mine That Bird’s Mark Allen, who thought about entering colt Indy Express to take up a spot in effort to keep Rachael Alexandra out, but eventually said that he wouldn’t.

Rachael Alexandra has now eight of her last 10 races and it’ll be interesting to see if she runs in the Belmont Stakes on June 6, which is third and final leg of the Triple Crown.

A $2 bet on Rachael Alexandra paid $5.60 and her final margin of victory over Mine That Bird was a length. Musket Man, who had 10/1 odds to win, finished third. (Musket Man finished third at the Kentucky Derby, too.)

I know absolutely nothing about horse racing, although I did watch closely as Big Brown’s bid to become the next Triple Crown winner come up short last year, so I firmly believe that I am more than qualified to make predictions on the sport.

The 135th running of the Kentucky Derby is today, with post time set for approximately 6:04 p.m. ET. The biggest news coming out of Churchill Downs is that the favorite, I Want Revenge, was scratched from today’s race because of a foot injury. Ironically, Quality Road, who was the favorite before I Want Revenge, was also scratched for the race last week due to a foot injury himself.

Here are the 2009 Kentucky Derby Odds:

Advice 25/1
Atomic Rain 50/1
Chocolate Candy 8/1
Desert Party 10/1
Dunkirk 4/1
Flying Private 50/1
Friesan Fire 4/1
General Quarters 5/1
Hold Me Back 12/1
Join In The Dance 50/1
Mine That Bird 50/1
Mr Hot Stuff 30/1
Musket Man 25/1
Nowhere To Hide 50/1
Papa Clem 12/1
Pioneerof the Nile 4.5/1
Regal Ransom 15/1
Summer Bird 30/1
West Side Bernie 40/1

Here are my shot in the dark predictions:

Win: Pioneerof the Nile
Pioneerof the Nile has finished first in all three of his 2009 outings, including a victory at the Santa Anita Derby on February 5. He also placed first in his final race of 2008 at the CashCall Futurity in Hollywood Park.

Place: Friesan Fire
I’m a little concerned because Friesan Fire hasn’t raced since March 14, but he’s been on fire (pun definitely intended in the cheesiest way possible) lately, winning all three of his last three races and placing second in his final race of 2008.

Show: Musket Man
Call this my deep sleeper of this year’s Kentucky Derby. M-Squared has placed first in five of his last six outings, including a victory at the Illinois Derby in Hawthorne on February 4. He’s a 25/1 long shot, but I see a lot of potential in this colt’s hindquarters.

Those are my picks. Avoid them at all cost.