Horse Racing News on May 31, 2010

Belmont Week dawned Monday with a late addition to bring the field to 12, and several horses who turned in sharp final workouts, one of whom gave no indication that a foot problem he is nursing will compromise his chances for the 142nd Belmont Stakes.

Quality Road hadn't been out in 114 days and had just run six furlongs in 1:08.57 in the heat at Belmont Park. With a quarter-mile left to run in the 117th Metropolitan Handicap, Quality Road had to be as good as advertised in order to win.

As the field went around the far turn in the Sands Point Stakes on Monday at Belmont Park, Check the Label had nowhere to run. But once she found room in the stretch, her rivals had nowhere to hide.

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.