Horse Racing News

Betting and attendance figures for the first five days of the Monmouth Park meet have far exceeded the expectations of the track's operator and the racing officials.

Rachel Alexandra, winless in two starts this year since being named the 2009 Horse of the Year, is likely to make her next start on June 12, majority owner Jess Jackson said Tuesday in a press release.

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.

Trainer Phil Gleaves is still not certain whether Mambo Meister is better on turf or dirt. But one thing he is sure of: Mambo Meister is at his best over Calder's main track, where the gelding will shoot for his second graded stakes victory of the meet.

If trainer Jim Cassidy is right -- that Evening Jewel fancies turf over synthetic or dirt -- then the Grade 2 Honeymoon Handicap on Monday at Hollywood Park could turn out to be a one-filly race.

Zardana, who beat 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies in March, is likely to make her next start in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park on June 12, owner Arnold Zetcher said.

Kentucky shipper Exhi dominated a quality field under Robby Albarado in the 55th running of the $159,300 Marine Stakes Saturday at Woodbine.