Rachel works for fourth straight Monday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - As a possible decision nears in regard to a next race, Rachel Alexandra went through a fourth straight Monday workout at Churchill Downs when breezing six furlongs in 1:11.20 early on the Memorial Day holiday.

With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard at about 6:30 a.m. Eastern, and over a fast track, the 2009 Horse of the Year went in fractions of 12.20 seconds, 23.80, 35.40, 47.40, and 59.20 before galloping out seven furlongs in 1:23.80 and a mile in 1:38, according to Churchill clocker John Nichols.

In her three previous works since finishing second in the April 30 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill, Rachel Alexandra went a half-mile on May 10, then five furlongs on May 17 and 24.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has maintained that he and majority owner Jess Jackson have not committed Rachel Alexandra to a specific next race, although the 4-year-old filly has been nominated to a pair of June 12 races at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill: the Grade 1, $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, open to both genders, and the Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap, restricted to fillies and mares. Nominations to both races closed Saturday.

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.