Son of Curlin-Rachel Alexandra almost ready

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Wednesday that the much-anticipated debut of Jess’s Dream, the 3-year-old son of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, should not be too far off.

Jess’s Dream has had three works since shipping to Saratoga from Belmont earlier this summer, with the latest one going five furlongs in company with McLaughlin’s highly regarded 3-year-old maiden Markings in 1:00.14 last Thursday.

“He’s getting closer; he’s probably a couple of works away,” said McLaughlin. “He’s been training very well. The problem will be picking out a spot. It’s tough to place him because he’s not a six-furlong horse, and our other options would be either seven or a mile and one-eighth.”

Rachel Alexandra’s second foal, a 2-year-old daughter of Bernardini named Rachel’s Valentina, won her debut Aug. 2 at Saratoga.