Heavy favorite Blind Luck added her name to a long list of distinguished fillies by prevail¬ing in a photo finish to claim the Kentucky Oaks. But on the undercard, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra suffered a heartbreaking defeat, her second in as many starts this year.

Blind Luck used her trademark closing kick to win the Kentucky Oaks and needed every inch of the Churchill Downs stretch to prevail by the barest of margins.

The cleverly named filly - by the one-eyed stallion Pollard’s Vision and out of the mare Lucky One - was last as the field of 14 made its way down the backside. She began picking up rivals entering the far turn but was forced to go six wide around the field. Up to third by the top of the stretch, she gradually wore down Ashland winner Evening Jewel, who had taken command turning for home, to get up by a nose in the final stride.

The Oaks was the fourth Grade I victory for Blind Luck, who paid $4.60, $3.60 and $2.80 while finishing in 1:50.70. She also won the Oak Leaf, Hollywood Starlet and Las Virgenes in California and the Grade II Fantasy last time out.

About three lengths lengths behind Blind Luck and Evening Jewel came pacesetter Tidal Pool, who held on for third. Beautician, Ailalea, Amen Hallelujah, Crisp, Quiet Temper, It’s Tea Time, Joanie’s Catch, Champagne d’Oro, Age of Humor, Jody Slew and Bella Diarmante rounded out the order of finish.

Some four and a half hours earlier, Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra - who romped home by more than 20 in last year’s Kentucky Oaks - was sent off as the overwhelming favorite in the Grade II La Troienne Stakes. The field of six included Zardana, who had defeated her in her 2010 debut, the New Orleans Ladies Stakes, in March.

Rachel Alexandra was moving easily on the turn and led at the top of the lane under regular rider Calvin Borel. But Unrivaled Belle, winner of the Rampart last time out, took aim and drew even. With Rachel Alexandra battling back gamely the length of the stretch, Unrivaled Belle nevertheless found her measure in the final yards and prevailed by a head.

Majority owner Jess Jackson answered the speculation as to whether or not the filly might be retired after a second straight defeat.

"She’s not going to retire," he said.

In the other stakes on the Oaks undercard, Mechanicville native Chad Brown saddled Silver Timber to a win in the Grade III Churchill Downs Turf Sprint in course record time; Arson Squad beat a solid field of older horses that included Macho Again and Bullsbay in the Grade III Alysheba Stakes; Doubles Partner won the Grade II American Turf for 3-year-olds; and Lou Brissie won the Grade III Kentucky Juvenile Stakes for 2-year-olds.

We've been busy with Kentucky Derby developments over the past few weeks, but here's a quick update on racing's leading ladies and some other news.

Rachel Alexandra turned in her final workout for her planned start in Friday's Grade II La Troienne on Monday morning, going an easy half in :50 flat under regular exercise rider Dom Terry. At Tuesday's post position draw, the filly was made the 4-5 morning line choice for the La Troienne and drew post four in a short field of six. Breaking next to her from the three is Zardana, the mare who beat her in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes in March. The race lost a potential entrant over the weekend when Alabama winner Careless Jewel sustained a minor quarter crack. The filly will rebound with no ill effects but was kept out of this weekend's races because she missed some training time.

Meanwhile, the unbeaten Zenyatta worked an easy half mile in :52.40 at her training base, Hollywood Park, on Tuesday morning. The big mare could go for her historic 17th victory at home in the Vanity Handicap on June 13. Trainer John Shirreffs called the race a "logical" spot, adding that he needs to further consider weight assignments and other aspects of the race first.

Segueing to somewhere both of these runners are sure to wind up someday. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced the nominees for its 2010 class of inductees this week. Up for induction this year are female runners Azeri, Open Mind and Sky Beauty; males Point Given and Best Pal; jockeys Randy Romero and Alex Solis; and trainers Robert Wheeler and Gary Jones. The Hall of Fame changed its voting procedures this year. In the past, voters would have been asked to choose one inductee from this category. This year, they may vote for their top four candidates in any combination regardless of category - a measure designed to allow two stellar candidates coming from the same category in any one year to be inducted simultaneously (there was so much debate over Horse of the Year, can you imagine the stink if either Rachel Alexandra or Zenyatta was slighted out of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer several years from now?). The results of the vote will be announced May 28, and the class of 2010 will be inducted in a ceremony August 13 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra fired her third straight bullet at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, firing off six furlongs in 1:11.40.

With regular exercise rider Dom Terry aboard, the Medaglia d'Oro filly reeled off splits of :12.56, :24.28, :36.16, :47.67 and :59.29. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:24.41 and the mile in 1:37.76.

Her work was the fastest of seven at the day, outworking stakes-winning stablemates Friesan Fire (1:13.20) and Hot Dixie Chick (1:13.60).

Last Monday, Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in 1:12, best of seven, and on April 5, she covered five furlongs in 1:00.20, best of 16.

No race has been named for the filly's next start. However, she is nominated to the Grade II La Troienne Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard next week. There, Rachel Alexandra could meet Zardana, who defeated her last out in the New Orleans Ladies, and Careless Jewel, winner of the Alabama last summer.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra turned in her latest breeze, and her second straight bullet work, at Churchill Downs yesterday morning, covering six furlongs in 1:12 flat under regular exercise rider Dom Terry.

It was the fourth work for the 4-year-old since losing her season debut, the New Orleans Ladies, on March 13. Rachel Alexandra breezed twice at the Fair Grounds following that race, then shipped to her spring base, Churchill Downs, and has worked strongly since her return to the track she ran away with the Kentucky Oaks over.

In yesterday's work, the filly reeled off splits of :12.80, :25.40, :37.20, :48.40 and 1:00 en route to her final time, which was the fastest of seven at the distance. She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.20.

Last week, Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20, best of 16 at the distance. Trainer Steve Asmussen said his charge will work every Monday until further notice, the pattern she followed during her Horse of the Year campaign last year.

Asmussen hasn't confirmed where the filly might start next. However, the rumor mill has mentioned the La Troienne, a two-turn, Grade II stakes on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks, as a potential race. Rachel Alexandra is nominated to the event, along with New Orleans Ladies winner Zardana and Alabama winner Careless Jewel.

If all goes well, in just 27 days, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will occupy the same starting gate for the first time in the Apple Blossom Invitational.

First, though, fans will have to be content with watching them start within a half-hour of each other, as both make their respective season debuts today.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will start in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at the Fair Grounds, which is slated to go off at 6:15 p.m. EST. Just 21 minutes later, two-time champion older female Zenyatta goes postward in the Grade I, $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita.

The New Orleans Ladies, a mile and a sixteenth stake, was created for the purpose of attracting Rachel Alexandra, who has been stabled at the Fair Grounds since late November. The 4-year-old is making her first start since defeating older males in the Woodward last Sept. 5 at Saratoga, capping a Horse of the Year campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose and Haskell.

Rachel Alexandra, who breaks from the two in a short field of five for the New Orleans Ladies, will have regular rider Calvin Borel aboard. The filly also gets an equipment change, as trainer Steve Asmussen replaced her regular bridle with a figure eight noseband, a bridle many of Asmussen’s horses wear that can sometimes help a horse relax and soften its carriage. Rachel Alexandra, on an accelerated work schedule in order to make the New Orleans Ladies and Apple Blossom, has been exceptionally keen in her morning works, and some worry fitness is an issue coming off her long layoff.

“We’re happy with where she’s at now,” Asmussen said following her last work. “The main thing is she’s healthy and this is a step in the process to getting her back to her previous level.”

The only other graded winner in the field, Zardana, ships in from California for John Shirreffs, who, of course, also trains Zenyatta. Davis Flores will be aboard the winner of Hollywood Park’s Bayakoa Handicap as they leave from the three, just outside of Rachel.

Clear Sailing, who breaks from post 5 under Shane Sellers, is a Fair Grounds specialist, having won an allowance by eight and the Pelleteri Stakes in her last start. Fighter Wing (Corey Lanerie, rail), second behind Clear Sailing in the Pelleteri, and Unforgotten (Miguel Mena, post 4), unplaced in the Sunshine Millions Distaff last out, complete the field.

Zenyatta drew post eight in a field of nine for the Santa Margarita, a race she also won during the first of her two championship campaigns in 2008. The 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry hasn’t started since becoming the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7, improving her record to a perfect 14-for-14 lifetime. It was thought she’d be retired after that race, but in January, owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced that their star would return for one more season.

Zenyatta carries 127 pounds, including regular rider Mike Smith, in the nine furlong event. She gives between 12 to 19 pounds to her rivals.

“It’s a lot of weight to spot them starting off the year, but fortunately for us she’s a big mare and carries her weight very well, so, hopefully, it won’t bother her too much,” Smith said. “She’s ready for something and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Striking Dancer, who carries the next highest weight at 115, won the Grade II La Canada at Santa Anita last time out. Alex Solis rides the filly, who breaks from post 5.

Chantal Sutherland rides Pretty Unusual, who she partnered to a win in the Grade II El Encino three starts back. But in her last two efforts, the filly was unplaced in the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf and the Buena Vista Handicap.

Dance To My Tune (Martin Garcia, rail), Pretty Katherine (Joel Rosario, post 2), Made For Magic (Barrio, post 3), Gripsholm Castle (Victor Espinoza, post 6), Powerofvoodoo (Kaplan, post 7) and Floating Heart (Joe Talamo, post 9) round out the field.

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Although racing’s two leading ladies will steal the spotlight on Saturday, plenty of other stakes are happening around the country, including some key Kentucky Derby preps.

Eclipse champion 2-year-old Lookin at Lucky is making his first start outside of California, his first start on conventional dirt and his first start with blinkers in the Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Trainer Bob Baffert chose to ship the colt for his season debut after the success he had bringing stablemate Conveyance in to win the Southwest last month.

Lookin at Lucky, who hasn’t started since winning the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood in December, is 5-for-6 lifetime, with his only loss coming by an unlucky head in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He also owns wins in the Best Pal and Norfolk. The half-brother to Jim Dandy winner Kensei breaks from the two under regular rider Garrett Gomez.

Hopeful winner Dublin was a hard-charging second in the Southwest in his season debut after breaking poorly and sitting near the back of the pack down the backstretch. The strapping son of Afleet Alex breaks from the outside, post 7, and gets a rider change, as the legendary trainer Wayne Lukas is choosing to replace Terry Thimpson with Corey Nakatani.

Noble’s Promise (Robby Albarado, post 6) is making his first start since running second to Lookin at Lucky in the Futurity. Cardiff Giant (Christian Santiago Reyes, rail) was second in the San Rafael and third in the Southwest.

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The unbeaten Caracortado, winner of the Robert B. Lewis last out, highlights a balanced field of seven in the Grade II San Felipe at Santa Anita. The gelding, who will be ridden by Paul Atkinson as they break from the outside, is 5-for-5 lifetime and hopes to use this race as a springboard into next month’s Santa Anita Derby.

Todd Pletcher ships in Interactif time in hopes of breaking onto the Derby trail. The colt won the With Anticipation at Saratoga and the Bourbon at Keeneland, both on the turf. Rafael Bejerano will ride, and they break from post 2.

American Lion, who gets the services of Eclipse winning jockey Julien Leparoux, won the Hollywood Prevue, then was third in the Lewis last out. The colt has blinkers on for trainer Eoin Harty and breaks from the four.

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Super Saver won the Kentucky Jockey Club last fall on the same track where the Kentucky Derby will be run in less than two months. The colt tries to take another step toward that goal in today’s Grade III Tampa Bay Derby. The colt breaks from post 6 for trainer Todd Pletcher and will have NYRA leading rider Ramon Dominguez aboard.

Odysseus (Rajiv Maragh, post 7) is coming off an impressive allowance score at Tampa and Uptowncharlybrown (Daniel Centino, rail) is 2-for-3 lifetime at the track, including the Pasco Stakes.

Also on the Tampa card, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and Eclipse champion She Be Wild is favored in the Grade III Florida Oaks.

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A balanced field of 11 older campaigners will challenge the Grade II Gulfstream Park Handicap. Nick Zito sends out Gulfstream specialist Cool Coal Man, who is 4-for-5 lifetime at the track, including an allowance win last time out in his season debut. Cool Coal Man will be ridden by Eddie Castro and drew the nine.

This Ones For Phil is trying to stretch his speed out to a mile after winning a blazingly fast edition of the Sunshine Millions Sprint last out. Johnny Velazquez rides for Rick Dutrow. He’ll have to use his speed early, breaking from the outside, post 11.

You And I Forever (Javier Castellano, post 10) was second to Quality Road two starts back in the Hal’s Hope, Grasshopper (Alan Garcia, post 8) returned from a layoff of over nine months to win a Gulfstream allowance last out and the talented Harlem Rocker (Eibar Coa, post 5) is rounding his way back into form on the third start off a long layoff.

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The speedy Bickersons was planning to try to wheel back on just over two weeks rest in the Grade III Cicada at Aqueduct. But she'll get some extra time, as rain and high winds forced the postponement of today's card. The race will be rescheduled for March 20.

Bickersons won the Moccasin last fall and the Forward Gal earlier this year.

It was a busy Monday for Rachel Alexandra, as the reigning Horse of the Year turned in her final work for her season debut hours before post positions were drawn for that race, the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

With regular exercise rider Dom Terry aboard, the 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro breezed an easy four furlongs in :49 flat. She turned in splits of :25.20 and :37.20, finished up the last furlong in :11.80 for her final time, and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.80.

"It’s hard to compare her to anybody else so we just gave her an easy half and let him get along with her and it looked like she went beautiful," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "She’s a beautiful mover. That’s how she runs and that’s what makes her special. She went over the racetrack very well; it was in great shape this morning. That’s all we could hope for. She got the breeze in, did very well, looked good."

Putting the finishing touches on her preparations, the filly also schooled in the paddock on Saturday afternoon and is likely to do so again this week.

Later, Rachel Alexandra drew post 2 in a field of five for the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies, an ungraded mile and a sixteenth event that was created specifically to lure the filly, who has been stabled at the Fair Grounds since December. Regular rider Calvin Borel will, of course, be aboard in her first start since taking the Woodward on Sept. 5.

The only other graded stakes winner in the field is California invader Zardana, who took the Bayakoa in December. The 6-year-old breaks from the three under David Flores for trainer John Shirreffs - who hopes, of course, to tackle Rachel with unbeaten champion Zenyatta in next month's Apple Blossom Invitational.

Rachel Alexandra carries high weight of 123 pounds, the maximum allowed under the conditions of the race. Zardana is assigned 121, while the rest - Fighter Wing, Unforgotten and Clear Sailing - carry 117.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra turned in her most serious work in advance of her season debut, covering six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 at the Fair Grounds Tuesday morning.

With regular exercise rider Dom Terry up, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro hit the half in :51 flat before turning it on to go the final quarter in :22 3/5. The filly worked in company - unusual for her - with Asmussen-trained stablemate Depaul, who finished up in 1:14 4/5 with Rachel Alexandra pulling away down the stretch.

Rachel Alexandra is on track to make her season debut - and her first start since winning the Woodward Sept. 5 - in the March 13 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

The 4-year-old filly will have a maintenance move next Monday, six days before the race.

It's been a busy few days on the worktab for several horses of note.

Derby hopeful Rule worked four furlongs in :48.95 this morning at Palm Meadows, the seventh-fastest of 19 moves at the distance. Todd Pletcher, who is loaded for bear this spring, is pointing the son of Roman Ruler to the March 27 Florida Derby. Rule, winner of the Delta Jackpot at Sam F. Davis, is out of Rockcide, a half-sister to Funny Cide.

Pletcher also sent out the 3-year-old Brother Bird for a five furlong move in 1:01.30, sixth of 16 at the distance. The son of Yonaguska is out of the Smart Strike mare Mining My Own, making him a half-brother to Derby winner Mine That Bird. The colt made his career debut at Saratoga last August, finishing an even third after being fractious in the post parade; he hasn't started since but has worked steadily in recent weeks, suggesting that he could be nearing a start.

Elsewhere in Florida, Colors Flying breezed an easy half in :50.40 at Payson Park. The regally-bred son of AP Indy, out of champion filly Storm Flag Flying (herself a daughter of champion My Flag, out of unbeaten Personal Ensign) took four tries to break his maiden, but did so in impressive style at Belmont last October. He's finished third twice since, including to the talented Battle Plan last out.

At the Fair Grounds, Steve Asmussen sent out his 3-year-old filly duo of Hot Dixie Chick and Dashing Debby to go five furlongs. The two stepped up the pace from their moves in recent weeks, covering the distance in 1:10.40, ninth-best of 52. No date has been announced for their season debuts. Hot Dixie Chick won the Schuylerville and Spinaway last summer at the Spa. Asmussen also sent out Jim Dandy winner Kensei for his first work of the year last Wednesday; the now-4-year-old covered an easy half in :50.20

Hopeful winner Dublin was in good shape on Monday morning, a day after turning in a bullet work at Oaklawn. The strapping son of Afleet Alex covered a half in :48.40, the fastest of 32 at the distance. After a solid runner-up effort in the Southwest in his season debut, the Wayne Lukas trainee is now headed to the March 13 Rebel.

And to check in with racing's two favorite ladies - Zenyatta emerged from last Friday's six furlong move (1:13.20, fourth of 15) at Hollywood in outstanding shape. She'll have one last work this weekend before her March 13 season debut in the Santa Margarita. Meanwhile, Rachel Alexandra will turn in a six furlong move tomorrow, her most serious work in advance of the March 13 New Orleans Ladies. The filly will then have an easy breeze next Monday prior to the race.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra stretched out to six furlongs in her latest work, covering the distance in 1:14 flat at the Fair Grounds Wednesday morning.

Trainer Steve Asmussen was pleased with the work and said exercise rider Dom Terry gave the filly just what she needed following a brisk move last week when the filly was keen early.

Rachel Alexandra reeled off splits of :13 2/5, :25 1/5, :37 3/5, :49 4/5 and 1:02 enroute to her final clocking. She galloped out seven furlongs in a solid 1:27.

The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is pointing to the March 13 New Orleans Ladies Stakes. If the pattern of her works - and the routine Asmussen typically follows with his top horses - continues, she'll have two more works before the race, turning in a serious move next Tuesday and a maintenance work the Monday prior to the race.

Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta turned in solid workouts today at their respective training bases.

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. With regular exercise rider Dom Terry aboard, the 4-year-old filly broke off eagerly and zipped through early splits of :12, :23 4/5 and :35 3/5 before relaxing to go the half in :47 3/5 and gallop out six furlongs in 1:14 2/5. The work was the second-fastest of 19 on the day.

Rachel Alexandra, who was also the champion 3-year-old filly of 2009, is on track to make her first start of 2010 in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes, at a mile and a sixteenth on March 13 at the Fair Grounds. It will be her first start since winning the Woodward on Sept 5 at Saratoga. The filly has breezed every six days since returning to the worktab on Jan. 31. If the pattern continues, she could record three more works before the New Orleans Ladies.

Two-time champion older female Zenyatta worked an easy six furlongs in 1:14 flat at her home base of Hollywood Park.
The 6-year-old, who was second in Horse of the Year voting, went in company with unraced 4-year-old stablemate El Vino, who finished up a tick behind in 1:14 1/5.

Zenyatta is unraced since becoming the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7, stretching her record to a perfect 14-for-14 lifetime. The mare has worked every week since mid-January, after it was announced that owners Jerry and Ann Moss intended to campaign her in 2010 rather than retire her as expected.

Zenyatta is expected to make her season debut in the Grade I Santa Margarita Invitational, at a mile and an eighth on March 13 at Santa Anita.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra turned in her second work of the year this morning, going another easy half in 50 3/5 seconds at the Fair Grounds.

Regular exercise rider Dom Terry was aboard as the filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.

Rachel returned to the worktab on Sunday morning for the first time since winning the Woodward, going a half in :52 flat.

"She's very special," trainer Steve Asmussen said. "I thought she looked beautiful. She went :50 3/5 today off her :52 the other day. I think that's pretty much the progression that we're expecting."

No race has been settled on for the filly's 2010 debut. Oaklawn Park, of course, if offering a $5 million purse if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both enter the April 3 Apple Blossom. Asked if Rachel could be ready for a race in the next two months, Asmussen reiterated that the connections will "do what's right by her."

Rachel Alexandra returned to the worktab this morning at the Fair Grounds, breezing a half mile in 52 seconds flat.

The newly crowned Horse of the Year's time ranked 53rd of 58 works at that distance. But considering that it was her first work in over four months and that her fitness gallops were interrupted by poor weather in New Orleans, the time isn't cause for concern - yet.

Assistant trainer Scott Blasi was pleased with how she went.

"I even asked for a touch slower but for her that's just physically impossible," he said. "[Exercise rider Dom Terry] did a good job. He had to trick her into going that slow but right now that's what’s best for her. ... It was a perfect work. We’re not out to impress anybody at this point."

Blasi said the filly would now settle into a pattern of weekly works. No starting point for her 2010 campaign has been determined yet.

All thoroughbreds officially turned a year older on Jan. 1, but four years ago today, on Jan. 29, 2006, the filly who would become Rachel Alexandra entered the world.

Local fans wishing to celebrate the filly's birthday - and recent crowning as Horse of the Year - can do so while supporting a good cause this Sunday, as ThoroFan, with support from Anthony Brindisi, has organized a birthday party that's also a fundraiser for Old Friends at Cabin Creek.

The party will be held at the Union Grille at the Saratoga Hilton from 12 to 5 p.m.; there will be food (reservations are required), artist Frankie Flores will be on hand to create a portrait of the filly and vendors will sell merchandise. The highlight of the event? At about 3 p.m., those in attendance will call trainer Steve Asmussen's barn at the Fair Grounds to sing "Happy Birthday" to Rachel.

Fifty percent of the tab will go to Cabin Creek and will be used to build run-in sheds for the horses.

For more information or for reservations, contact the Union Grille at 682-2600 or ThoroFan's Bambii Rae at 695-3605.

Rachel Alexandra, who was named Horse of the Year over Zenyatta on Monday night, has settled into a routine of jogging one mile then galloping one mile around the Fair Grounds oval most mornings.

The now 4-year-old, who hasn't started since becoming the first female to win the Woodward on Sept. 5, is still on track to turn in her first timed work around Feb. 1 as she prepares for her highly anticipated season.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said a campaign of six or seven races is likely for his star - including, he hopes, several tilts against Zenyatta, who she hasn't met on the track yet. With owner Jess Jackson unwilling to run over a synthetic surface (such as Del Mar) a return to New York this summer seems likely for Rachel Alexandra. The filly's ultimate goal, of course, is the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.

Meanwhile, stablemate Hot Dixie Chick, who was third in the voting for champion 2-year-old filly, returned to the worktab on Thursday morning but still has a way to go.

The filly breezed a half in :52 flat, leading Asmussen to say she's "highly unlikely" to make her 3-year-old debut in the Silverbulletday on Feb. 20.

Hot Dixie Chick, who is owned by Jackson's wife Barbara Banke, won two stakes at Saratoga last summer, the Schuylerville on opening day and the Grade I Spinaway on closing weekend. She hasn't started since.

The progress of horses in Asmussen's string has been hampered by poor weather, as the Fair Grounds was plagued by rain throughout December and the track was also frozen several days.