Rachel Alexandra Works Half-Mile At Churchill Downs In Final Prep For Return In Mother Goose

Jun 22, 2009 By John Asher

Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick’s Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) and the Preakness (GI), worked four furlongs in :49.80 at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for her scheduled return to racing in Saturday’s $300,000 Mother Goose (GI) at Belmont Park.

    Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro covered the distance over a “fast” track in fractional times of :13, :25 and :37.40.  Her half-mile work ranked as the 17th fastest of 51 at the distance and the Steve Asmussen-trained filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.40.  

    “The filly went beautiful this morning,” said Asmussen.  “She looked very happy.  Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) and Dominic have done a great job keeping her happy.”

    Rachel Alexandra will face 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose, which will be her first race since her win over Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and 11 other males in the Preakness (GI) on May 16 at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.   

    The filly will ship to New York on Tuesday for Saturday’s race.  Rachel Alexandra figures to be an overwhelming favorite in the Mother Goose, although she could face such accomplished foes as graded stakes winners Justwhistledixie and Don’t Forget Gil in the race.

    “That’s why they’re Grade I’s,” said Asmussen.  “We’re not looking to trade her with anyone.”  

    Her Preakness victory lifted the career record for Rachel Alexandra to 8-2-0 in 11 races with earnings of $1,618,354.