Rachel Alexandra settles in at Saratoga

Calvin and Rachel got the last laugh in the Mother Goose (Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com) Scarcely 12 hours after her record-setting victory in Saturday’s Mother Goose S. (G1) at Belmont Park, RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d’Oro) stepped onto a van that carried her up the Northway to Saratoga, which will be the base for her summer campaign. “She ran a big race,” trainer Steve Asmussen said of the three-year-old filly, who set a stakes record of 1:46.33 for the nine furlongs and established the largest margin of victory (19 1/4 lengths) in the 53-year history of the race. “I think (jockey) Calvin (Borel) said it best — she’s not normal.” Asmussen, still wearing one of the 10,000 pink “Rachel Alexandra” bracelets that were given away on Saturday, said he had watched the replay of the Mother Goose several times, and was still bowled over by the ease of her victory. “The best way to describe it is that she’s got an extremely high cruising speed,” Asmussen continued. “But obviously, we’ve known that about her for a long time.”

Rachel Alexandra, who extended her record to 9-2-0 from 12 starts with
earnings of $1,798,354, arrived at Saratoga midmorning and took up residence in
Curlin’s former stall in Asmussen’s barn near the Oklahoma training track.

“She shipped great,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who accompanied
Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga. “She’s settled into Curlin’s old stall, which is
now her stall, right next to my office.

“She recovered very well,” added Blasi. “She seemed strong (Saturday) and was
starving when we fed her last night, and ate everything this morning, as well.”

Several possibilities exist for Rachel Alexandra’s next start, including the
July 25 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) sending sophomore fillies 10 furlongs
at Belmont, the Jim Dandy (G2) for three-year-olds going nine furlongs at
Saratoga on August 1, and the 1 1/8-mile Haskell Invitational (G1), also for
three-year-olds, at Monmouth Park on August 2.

Following one of those, the scenario could next include the Alabama S. (G1)
for three-year-old fillies at 1 1/4 miles on August 22, the Travers S. (G1) for
sophomores going 10 furlongs on August 29, or even the Personal Ensign S. (G1)
sending distaffers 1 1/4 miles on August 30. All three of those races take place
at Saratoga.

Asmussen declined to engage in any speculations.

“I’m well-versed in that with the Curlin-Big Brown thing last year,” he said.
“I’m just going to worry about her health and happiness, and then we’ll sit down
and decide what’s best for her.”