With the meet just 11 days away, the action is beginning to ramp up during training hours at Saratoga. There's plenty of gorgeous scenery (like this sunrise in the fog) to take in, plenty of interesting people to talk to, and of course, plenty of horses to watch.

Some of the highlights from this morning at the Oklahoma track:

--Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra turned in a strong work, covering six furlongs in 1:12.45 as she gears up for a start in the Lady's Secret at Monmouth on July 24. Heavy fog was blanketing the track when the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro stepped onto the track with Shaun Bridgmohan in the irons shortly before 6 a.m. Rachel's appearance on the track drew the usual crowd of photographers and fans - all of whom had to contend with the poor visibility (thank heavens for Bridgmohan's red shirt!). The filly was on the muscle as she eagerly broke off for the work. She went her first half in :48 flat, then came home her final quarter in :24.45 for the final clocking. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.80 and looked to come back in good order, without being overly exerted. Rachel will work again at Saratoga next Monday morning before heading to New Jersey for the race.

--Following Rachel Alexandra's work, I spent some time at trainer Steve Asmussen's barn and had the opportunity to get a peek at some of the Stonestreet 2-year-olds. Kantharos, winner of his first two starts by over 21 lengths combined, breezed an easy half in :52 flat. The chestnut colt, who looks a great deal like his sire, Lion Heart, is coming off a win in the Bashford Manor. Brock, a $2.3 million sale purchase by Distorted Humor and out of Grade I winner Tomisue's Delight (herself a sister to Horse of the Year Mineshaft), is also an absolutely striking individual.

--Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito sent out two of his top 3-year-olds for works on the Oklahoma track. Florida Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box went four furlongs in :48.80, third fastest of 35 at the distance. His stablemate, Dwyer winner and Belmont runner-up Fly Down, went the distance in :49.25.

--2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird and last year's Hopeful winner Dublin have arrived, along with several of their Wayne Lukas-trained stablemates. The string had been based at Churchill Downs for the spring and early summer; they flew into Albany on Monday morning before vanning to the track. Mine That Bird is expected to start in the Whitney Handicap on August 7.