United States Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has silenced her critics in the best way possible with a devastating win at Churchill Downs.The connections of Rachel Alexandra have tried for months to tell the racing world there was no need for panic, that just because Rachel Alexandra hadn't yet regained her past form didn't mean it was lost forever.But all those words weren't nearly as powerful as Rachel Alexandra's actions in Saturday's Grade Two Fleur de Lis Handicap.After beginning her sea

United States Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra has silenced her critics in the best way possible with a devastating win at Churchill Downs.

The connections of Rachel Alexandra have tried for months to tell the racing world there was no need for panic, that just because Rachel Alexandra hadn't yet regained her past form didn't mean it was lost forever.

But all those words weren't nearly as powerful as Rachel Alexandra's actions in Saturday's Grade Two Fleur de Lis Handicap.

After beginning her season with two second placings that had many wondering if her best days were over, Rachel Alexandra showcased some of her old brilliance with a 10-1/2 length romp over four others in the Fleur de Lis.

The level of competition was hardly what Rachel Alexandra faced last year when she rattled off historic wins in the Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes, Haskell Invitational and Woodward Stakes among others.

But considering the four-year-old had suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in her career - including a defeat to Unrivaled Belle in the Grade Two La Troienne at Churchill Downs on April 30 - it was both a thrill and a relief for those closest to her to see the filly easily drawing clear under jockey Calvin Borel.

"This is the race we wanted," majority owner Jess Jackson said.

"We needed a decent prep where she could show some brilliance at the end. She's not 100 per cent yet compared to what she was last year, but we planned her progression to go slow so that she can last a whole season.

"I guess there is some relief because naysayers were saying she was done and no horse has come back and all of that. But this is part of the progression we were looking for."

Jackson did not reveal the date or location of Rachel Alexandra's next race, only reiterating the Breeders' Cup at Churchill was the ultimate goal.

"Let's see how she comes out, take a look at how she progressed and how she reacts after it," Jackson said.

"It's not out of the realm we'll go against the boys again. It's up to the lady to tell us."