Rachel Alexandra schools in the paddock

Rachel Alexandra takes a stroll around Belmont’s paddock (Photo courtesy of NYRA)

Trainer Steve Asmussen continued to put the finishing touches on
RACHEL ALEXANDRA’s (Medaglia d’Oro) preparations for Saturday’s $300,000 Mother
Goose S. (G1) at Belmont Park, as the filly went to the gate in the
morning and schooled in the paddock in the afternoon.

The three-year-old lass, who was the first filly to win the Preakness
Stakes in 85 years, stood in the starting gate for a few moments at
about 6:30 a.m. (EDT), then galloped a mile on Belmont’s training track with
exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard.

During the 6TH race, under sunny skies and with a small crowd
looking on, the Stonestreet Stable’s star stood quietly in the saddling
enclosure, and then took several turns around the paddock before heading
back to the barn with assistant trainer Scott Blasi.

“She was great in the gate this morning,” said Blasi of Rachel
Alexandra, who has her own website, “Rachel’s Sandbox,” on www.nyra.com/rachel.
“She was relaxed, and paying attention. This afternoon, she parked
herself right in the saddling enclosure and she never moved a muscle. I
didn’t have to do a thing, and I couldn’t be any happier with how she
acted, and how she’s coming into the race.”