Alexandra the Great! Filly beats colts in Haskell

Rachel Alexandra turned on the speed around the far turn and rolled past the boys once again to win the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational yesterday and establish herself as one of the greatest fillies in thoroughbred racing.

When the regal bay filly returned to the winner’s circle with Calvin Borel patting her neck, the crowd of 37,090 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., cheered mightily for racing’s brightest star.

Rachel Alexandra was not bothered a bit by the sloppy track and settled in behind the leader Munnings, with Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird third in the seven-horse field.

When Munnings went into the final turn, Rachel Alexandra accelerated and blew past him to lead by 4 lengths at the top of the stretch. With Borel urging her on, the filly extended the lead and beat Summer Bird by 6 lengths.

Rachel Alexandra, the 1-2 favorite, returned $3, $2.20 and $2.10. Summer Bird, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, paid $3.40 and $2.60. Munnings was third and paid $3.20. The winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:47.21.

“She’s just a tremendous filly, and I’m glad she put on a good show,’’ winning trainer Steve Asmussen said. “She’s very special. She’s been able to separate herself from everyone else.’’

Rachel Alexandra joins 1995’s Serena’s Song as the only fillies to win the Haskell. She became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness when she beat Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by 1 length.

Now that she has beaten the Derby winner and the Belmont winner, can the prestigious Travers Stakes at Saratoga in three weeks be next?

“We’ll let her tell us,’’ was all Rachel’s co-owner Jess Jackson said.

Jockey Fabrizio Jimenez fractured bones in his right leg, fractured his right hip and possibly his right ankle after Ballado Alert clipped heels with another horse in the fourth race.

In the next race, jockey Pedro Cotto was unseated by his mount, Tale of Victory, who suffered a fatal breakdown while running along the backstretch. The horse was euthanized, track officials said.

The extent of Cotto’s injuries were not disclosed. Both jockeys were taken to a hospital. Cotto was to have X-rays of his abdomen and back, the track doctor said.

The race for fillies and mares was run over a muddy track in a steady downpour.

Rajiv Maragh, who maintained a wide course throughout 1 1/8 miles run in 1:51.01, rode Seventh Street to her third win in five starts this year.

The 4-year-old filly battled for the early lead with long shot Color Me Up, prompting a strong pace before being sent to the front with a quarter-mile to run and then meeting the challenge posed by Spritely, who yielded second money to Miss Isella in the deep stretch.

Seventh Street, who earned $180,000, paid $4.90, $2.70 and $2.30. Miss Isella paid $2.50 and $2.20. Spritely paid $2.70 to show.

Perfect Shower became the longest-priced winner in Breeders’ Stakes history at 46-1, and paid $95.30, $34.80 and $13.60. The colt won the 1 1/2-mile race in 2:29.39 on firm turf.