Trainer Steve Asmussen and assistant Scott Blasi watched as the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro breezed five furlongs in 1:01.38, the fastest work of twelve at the distance. She took the first three fractions in :12 3/5, :25 and :37 1/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5. This was the first time that Asmussen has been at his Saratoga stable since Rachel Alexandra arrived there on June 28.
Rachel Alexandra’s next start remains a question mark, with several races being considered by her connections. One of those races is the Grade 2, $1 million Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares three-years-old and up going 1¼ miles at Delaware Park this Sunday, July 19.
“I think [a decision] to eliminate the Delaware Handicap will have to be made today or tomorrow from a timing standpoint,” Asmussen said. “They are drawing the entries tomorrow [for the race].”
Along with the Delaware Handicap, owners Jess Jackson, principal of Stonestreet Stables, and Harold T. McCormick and trainer Asmussen may also be considering the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies running 1¼ miles on July 25 at Belmont Park and the Grade 1, $1 million, nine-furlong Haskell Invitational for three-year-olds on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.
“It’s a timing thing more than anything,” Asmussen said. “Her being a three-year-old filly that has success outside of her division just gives [us] that many more options. I think the only thing that we can state is the obvious – that’s her and she looks good.”