Rachel's Schedule May Change

Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick’s Rachel Alexandra, named 2009 Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies Jan. 18 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., was penciled in for a pick up in her training schedule Saturday morning at Fair Grounds, but after heavy rains hit the local oval prior to Friday’s third race, that plan might have to be updated.

“If we do anything, it won’t be much,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi during the third race post parade.  “We’ll have to see how the track looks (tomorrow) and then make a decision.”

Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra’s trainer this season, was also honored with his second consecutive Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading trainer during the California ceremonies less than two weeks ago.

Circular Quay Sires First Foal

Michael and Doreen Tabor’s Circular Quay, who won the Grade II Louisiana Derby in 2007 and came back the next season to capture the Grade II New Orleans Handicap, has sired his first reported foal – a filly born Jan. 15 at Destiny’s Oaks Farm near Ocala, Fla.

The filly is out of the winning High Yield mare Destiny’s Yield, a half-sister to stakes winner Brush Over.

Trained by Todd Pletcher during his racing days, Circular Quay, by Thunder Gulch out of Circle of Life, also won the Grade I Hopeful Stakes as a 2-year-old and now stands at Brent Fernung’s Journeyman Stud near Ocala. His 2010 fee is $6,500.

All Races at Fair Grounds to Feature Pro Cush Riding Crops Beginning Feb. 1

Fair Grounds Race Course has adopted a policy that will require all jockeys to carry Pro Cush riding crops beginning Monday, Feb. 1.

Through the first 51 days of Fair Grounds 2009-2010 Thoroughbred Racing Season Presented by Miller Lite, Pro Cush riding crops were required only on the first two races each day.