July 23 - New Jersey horseracing fans are in for a huge treat tomorrow, as they'll be able to catch 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in action in the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park.

The 1 1/8 mile race will be Rachel Alexandra's first since she won the Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs in June, and a possible stepping stone to the Personal Ensign Stakes on August 29 at Saratoga Racecourse.

Said her trainer, Steve Asmussen, 'I hope that it [Lady's Secret Stakes] is a bridge or a building block to more substantial races toward the end of the year.' Rachel will start in a field made up of seven fillies and mares.

Officials from the Monmouth Park racing office are hoping that Rachel Alexandra's presence tomorrow will act as a much-needed draw card to Monmouth Park, one of the New Jersey racing venues that is suffering financially.

Racing fans were shocked by a recent New Jersey commission report that called for the state to end its financial assistance to the racing industry, and even suggested possibly selling Monmouth Park and Meadowlands.

So with this dark cloud hanging over the New Jersey horseracing, Rachel Alexandra's presence tomorrow should lighten the mood. Said Monmouth Park vice president, Bob Kulina, 'The timing's always right when you have a horse of her caliber show up.'

The only real threat to Rachel Alexandra in tomorrow's field is wild card Queen Martha, a daughter of the highly-rated Rahy. Queen Martha finished second in a second-level turf allowance race in May.

Here is the complete field and odds for tomorrow's $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park:

Stage Trick (KY) 10/1
Queen Martha (KY) 8/1
Ask the Moon (MD) 15/1
Hark (KY) 20/1
Rachel Alexandra (KY) 1/9
Fabulous Babe (FL) 30/1
Yes She's a Lady (KY) 12/1