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 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, 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.