Rachel Alexandra at Saratoga, originally uploaded by Rock and Racehorses.

It’s Kentucky Derby time! But don’t be surprised if there’s just as much talk, if not more, about superstar four-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra this week as there is about the Derby.

It will be a bit of a case of deja vu for anyone who followed racing a year ago, when Rachel Alexandra stole the headlines–and our hearts–by winning the Kentucky Oaks for three-year-old fillies in an uncontested runaway romp. A week later, she was sold to Stonestreet Stables and was soon on her way to the second leg of the Triple Crown for colts. And she won the Preakness…and everything else she entered that year.

Rachel Alexandra was 2009 Horse of the Year and maybe it’s for old times’ sake that she runs in the Kentucky Oaks day undercard on Friday, in a fillies and mare stakes, The La Troienne, at Churchill Downs. But all eyes will be on her, after she lost her debut race for 2010 in New Orleans in March.

Will Rachel Alexandra reclaim her glory? Is she on track for a stellar 2010 campaign? The racing world’s faithful are on the edge of their seats. All eyes are on Louisville!

Thanks to Sarah K. Andrew for the loan of this fantastic photo of Rachel Alexandra and Dominic Terry training at Saratoga last summer. Sarah is in Louisville this week and we look forward to how she will capture Rachel and the whole Derby scene with her creative eye.