Team Alexandra still undecided about filly's next start
Co-owner Jess Jackson said a few weeks ago that his star filly's next race might come in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on June 27, the same day that Zenyatta is scheduled to run in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park in an attempt to run her career record to 11-0.
But trainer Steve Asmussen said this morning that Rachel Alexandra's next race is still undecided. An update, courtesy of the Churchill Downs publicity office:
RACHEL ALEXANDRA SIZZLES IN SIX FURLONG WORK - Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick's Rachel Alexandra helped usher in the era of night racing at Churchill Downs when the winner of the Kentucky Oaks and Preakness worked a sparkling six furlongs under temporary lights on Monday at Churchill Downs.
The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro stepped on the track around 5:30 a.m. (EDT) with trainer Steve Asmussen's second set of horses and worked a very strong six furlongs in 1:12 over a "fast" surface. Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as Rachel Alexandra covered the distance in splits of :12.40, :24.40, :36.40, :48.40 and 1:00 and galloped out seven furlongs in 1:24.80.
The work was easily the fastest of four at the distance.
"She went super - she's doing great," said Asmussen. "She's definitely been stronger every week and she looks great."
Asmussen's filly has been unflappable throughout the spring and Asmussen said she handled training under the temporary lights just like she handles everything else.
"She's got a great presence about her," Asmussen said. "She always seems to take everything in stride so well. She comes back so sure of herself."
Majority owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables had earlier mentioned the $300,000 Mother Goose (GI) at 1 1/8 miles on June 27 at Belmont Park as a possible first start for Rachel Alexandra since her historic win over males in the Preakness on May 16. Asmussen said the choice of a race for the filly's next start was still being assessed.
Leave a comment