In spite of rumors around NY that Rachel was \"knocked out\" by the Preakness
By Marty McGee
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Owner Jess Jackson said Monday morning at Churchill Downs that he has made no decisions regarding the Belmont Stakes status of Rachel Alexandra after the star filly breezed a half-mile in 50.20 seconds shortly after daybreak over a sloppy and sealed racetrack, marking her first work since she captured the May 16 Preakness.
Dominic Terry, her regular exercise rider, was aboard Rachel Alexandra as she remained several paths off the inner rail when going through fractions of 12.60, 25, 37.20 and 50.20. Past the wire, she galloped out an extra furlong in an additional 14 seconds.
Jackson, whose Stonestreet Stables is the co-owner of Rachel Alexandra with Harold T. McCormick, watched the work alongside trainer Steve Asmussen. After the filly cooled out and was bathed, Jackson came out of an office at the Asmussen barn to address a sizable group of media wanting to known about the filly\'s status for the third and last leg of the Triple Crown, the June 6 Belmont Stakes, for which she surely would be favored if she runs.
\"We still can\'t make any decisions,\" said Jackson. \"It\'s too early. We can\'t make that decision until we know.\"
Jackson said he has not set a time frame to commit to the Belmont. \"It\'s up to her,\" he said. \"She will tell us. I can\'t take a chance on making that declaration yet. We\'re still considering it.\"
Jackson said if Rachel Alexandra does not go in the Belmont, she likely would run three weeks later in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes.