Rachel continues Haskell preparation

Rachel Alexandra, shown winning the Preakness, will take on the boys again (Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club) Preakness S. (G1) winner RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) put in a workout over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course Monday morning, her third since winning the June 27 Mother Goose S. (G1). With regular exercise rider Dominic Terry up at 6 a.m. (EDT), Rachel Alexandra breezed six furlongs in 1:13 4/5, the best of six workouts at that distance. Terry put the three-year-old filly through fractions of :13 1/5, :25 2/5, :37 2/5 and :49 3/5. She then galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27 2/5. The average workout time over the training track Monday was :38 2/5 for three furlongs and :50 for four furlongs.

"She looked like her usual self; she was impressive and got over the ground well," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "We wanted (to give her) a nice, smooth three-quarters and a long gallop. Dominic did a great job with her."

Rachel Alexandra is being pointed to the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) for three-year-olds over 1 1/8 miles at Monmouth Park on August 2. She is coming off a record-setting performance in the Mother Goose at Belmont Park, which she won by 19 1/4 lengths in a stakes-record time of 1:46 1/5 for nine furlongs.

"She does things so easily," Blasi added. "She's a special horse and it's obvious when you see her coming down the lane. She has settled in here perfectly. She has put on weight and she is a picture of (good) health. We're right on target for the Haskell."