Rachel Alexandra works at Saratoga, no decision on next race

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08/17/2009 - Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Leading thoroughbred racehorse Rachel Alexandra worked five-furlongs Monday morning on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track, even as her connections remain undecided on her next start.

"She looked beautiful coming down the lane," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "I saw her approaching the eighth pole and past the wire down to the turn. And the words (that) came out of Dominic's mouth: 'Never better.'"

Exercise rider Dominic Terry guided Rachel Alexandra through five-furlongs in 1:00.37. Her stablemate Kensei also worked five-furlongs Monday in 1:01.85.

"Kensei worked very well," said Terry, who was also aboard the colt. "I didn't think a horse could work better than the first set, then she went out. I don't have to ask her for anything; just hold on and let her do her thing. I couldn't ask for anything more."

Following the Monday morning work, Asmussen indicated that discussions on Rachel Alexandra's next start would begin "in earnest."

The filly defeated male three-year-olds for the second time this year in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on August 2. She has been nominated to the $600,000 Alabama for three-year-old fillies this Saturday, the $1 million Travers versus three-year-old colts and geldings on August 29, the $400,000 Personal Ensign against fillies and mares on August 30, and the $500,000 Woodward against older males on September 5. The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Labor Day at Philadelphia Park is also a possibility.

"There are no races eliminated," said Asmussen. "I will text [co-owner Jess Jackson] as to how the work went, he'll call me, and we'll discuss what we're going to do. We'll digest where we're at and try to do the best thing for Rachel."

Perfect in all seven 2009 starts, she has earned just under $2.3 million and has career winnings of nearly $2.5 million with 10 wins in 13 starts.

Rachel Alexandra remains atop the latest NTRA Thoroughbred Poll. The filly received 17 first-place votes and 188 points. Undefeated Zenyatta is second with two first-place votes and 167 points.

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After all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer.

Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise.

Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games.

So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver.

In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team.

For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC.

The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’.

The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback.

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