LITTLE ROCK — Sure looks and sounds like Rachel Alexandra is back in top form.
All the reigning Horse ofthe Year has to do now is prove it today with a big victory against six seemingly overmatched rivals in the $400,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at MonmouthPark in New Jersey.
“She’s really doing well. She was full of energy,” assistant trainer Scott Blasisaid after the 4-year-old filly galloped around the track Wednesday. After a Fridaymorning gallop, Blasi simply said “she’s a dream.”
Rachel Alexandra has been training at Saratoga Race Course, but arrived at the Jersey Shore track Tuesday nearly a year after her victory against males in the Haskell Invitational en route to an 8-0 record in 2009.
Trainer Steve Asmussen is following the “same routine” used last summer leading up to Rachel Alexandra’s 6-length Haskell victory over Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird.
On Monday, Rachel Alexandra worked 4 furlongs in 49.60 seconds, and Asmussen said after three workouts at the Spa “things have gone as smoothly as we were hoping for.
“She looked great on the track, just appeared to be nice, loose and happy, and I thought she moved very well. She had a lot of energy and looked confident.”
The Lady’s Secret is far from a glamour race, but it is an important test for Rachel Alexandra, and will dictate the filly’s future schedule.
Rachel Alexandra returned to the winner’s circle with a 10 1 /2-length romp in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs last month after starting her 2010 season with disappointing second-place finishes at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs.
An easy victory today could set her up for either the 1 1 /4-mile Personal Ensign against fillies and mares Aug. 29 or the Woodward Stakes against leading older male Quality Road on Sept. 4, both at Saratoga. Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win the Woodward last year.
A loss, and it’s anybody’s guess what the future holds for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro co-owned by Jess Jackson.
“We have enough to worry about this week to not get too far ahead of ourselves,” Asmussen said.
Rachel Alexandra should be the overwhelming favorite, perhaps 1-10, with only two of her rivals coming off stakes races - Stage Trick and Ask the Moon.
Stage Trick finished third in the Grade 3 Obeah at Delaware Park and Ask the Moon was sixth in the ungraded Lighthouse at Monmouth.
Also entered are Fabulous Babe, Hark, Queen Martha and Yes She’s A Lady.
“I think we are running for second,” said trainer Patrick Biancone, who trains Queen Martha. “But second would be good.”
Rachel Alexandra’s regular rider Calvin Borel will be aboard the filly, who will leave from the No. 5 post.
“After her last race, I think she’s back on the top of her game,” Borel said.
Monmouth Park General Manager Bob Kulina had hoped to match Rachel Alexandra against unbeaten Zenyatta for the first time, but he was unable to pull off the race the industry would love to see.
Sports, Pages 19 on 07/24/2010