02/15/2013 5:02PM

Fair Grounds: Unlimited Budget to make seasonal debut in Rachel Alexandra

By Bob Fortus
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Tom Keyser
Unlimited Budget wins the Demoiselle at Aqueduct in November.

NEW ORLEANS - Trainer Todd Pletcher will be sending Unlimited Budget from Florida for the Feb. 23 Rachel Alexandra, a mile and a sixteenth race for 3-year-old fillies which serves as the final local two-turn stakes prep for the Fair Grounds Oaks. She will be racing for the first time since leading all the way to win the Grade 2, 1  1/8-mile Demoiselle by 1  1/4 lengths on Nov. 24 at Aqueduct in her second start.

In her debut 15 days earlier, she won a mile race at Aqueduct by 9 1/2 lengths.

“Being a Street Sense filly, it looked like a one-turn mile was a good plan to start her out,” Pletcher said. “She ran so well, it gave us a chance to think about [the Demoiselle], and it worked out. She trained very well. We’re happy about the progression she’s made this winter.”

As of Thursday, the racing office considered 10 fillies possible for the Rachel Alexandra. Others who are at least stakes-placed are Seaneen Girl, who hasn’t raced since winning the Grade 2 Golden Rod on Nov. 24 at Churchill Downs; Touch Magic and Gal About Town, who ran one-two in the Silverbulletday on Jan. 19 at the Fair Grounds; Dancinginthecircle, who won the By the Light Stakes on Jan. 4 at Delta Downs; Midnight Ballet, who won the Sharp Cat on Nov. 11 at Hollywood Park; and Promise Me More, a turf stakes winner last summer at Louisiana Downs.