Easy work for Rachel Alexandra

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, breezed an easy half-mile Monday morning at Churchill Downs in 52 seconds, marking her first workout since incurring her second straight defeat in the April 30 La Troienne Stakes at the Louisville, Ky., track.

With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, Rachel Alexandra went in the day's second set, around 6:25 a.m., and went "very easy on a nice, cool morning," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who was on hand.

Asmussen said he and owner Jess Jackson have not committed Rachel Alexandra to a specific next race. "All options remain open," he said.

Rachel Alexandra won all eight starts last year but is winless in both tries at 4. She was second to Zardana in the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds, then second to Unrivaled Belle in the La Troienne. Jackson said after the La Troienne that he is undeterred by the losses and that he has no plans to retire the filly in the near future.