Rachel breezes at Churchill

Rachel Alexandra, no longer a consideration for the Belmont Stakes, breezed early Monday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., going five furlongs in 1:01.60 over a fast track. The star filly is not being pointed to any race in particular, although the June 27 Mother Goose versus fillies at Belmont Park remains a possibility, said trainer Steve Asmussen, who oversaw the work.

Rachel Alexandra defeated male rivals in her last start, the May 16 Preakness, extending her winning streak to six races. Jess Jackson, who co-owns the filly with Harold T. McCormick, announced Friday that she will not run in the Belmont.

"How long a break [Jackson] wants her to take will depend on his goals for her for the second half of the year," said Asmussen.

In the Monday work, which came at about 6:30 a.m., Rachel Alexandra went in fractions of 13, 25.20, 37, and 49 seconds before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.60. It was her second work since the Preakness.

"Everybody gets to take a step back and take a deep breath," said Asmussen. "We'll take a little bit of the pressure off her and enjoy her. We'll see what sort of energy she comes out of it with."