Rachel finishes well in six-furlong drill

Reigning Horse of the Year RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed a strong

six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 over Saratoga's fast Oklahoma training track Monday.

The Steve Asmussen trainee took to the track shortly after 6 a.m. (EDT) with

jockey Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons. For video of the work, click

here.

"I thought it was very good," Asmussen said of the move, the second of four

scheduled for Rachel leading up to the 1 1/4-mile Personal Ensign S. (G1) on

August 29 at Saratoga.

"Shaun did a great job with her. She was very strong to the pole, broke off

at the three-quarters. Her first eighth of a mile was excellent, to get her to

settle down. She came home the last quarter in :23 and change, which is what we

were looking at, and galloped out strong."

Monday's only other six-furlong work on the Oklahoma was turned in by her

stablemate, Grade 2 veteran FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy), who zipped in 1:12 2/5.

The Personal Ensign will be Rachel Alexandra's first start at 1 1/4 miles.

Last season, she captured the 1 3/16-mile Preakness S. (G1), becoming the first

filly in 85 years to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.