Solid workout for Rachel Alexandra

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - Defending Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra continued her preparations for the upcoming Personal Ensign Stakes with a six-furlong workout Monday morning. The four-year-old filly is in training to go 1 1/4-miles on Sunday, August 29 at Saratoga.

Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was in the saddle for the workout. Trainer Steve Asmussen had Rachel go the six-furlongs on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track. The filly covered the distance in 1:12.96 over a fast surface.

"I thought it was very good," said Asmussen. "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."

Owned by Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick, Rachel won the 1 1/8-mile Woodward Stakes versus older males last year at Saratoga. It is believed the filly is being readied for the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Churchill Downs.

The champion filly won the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park in her last start. This year she has won two of four starts, including her last two, for $498,376. In her career she has earned nearly $3.5 million with 13 wins in 18 starts.