The Belmont Stakes takes place this year on Saturday, June 6th.

ESPN is reporting that Rachel Alexandra owner Jess Jackson said he was uncertain Monday morning of the Preakness champion’s status for next month’s Belmont Stakes after the filly worked out at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Rachel Alexandra worked half a mile in 50 seconds and galloped out a fifth furlong in 1 minute, 4 seconds, an unspectacular time on a sloppy track for the star filly, who won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 1/4 lengths on May 1 before beating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird by a length in the Preakness.

Mine That Bird trainer Chip Woolley backtracked on his demands for a Monday commitment from Calvin Borel, the jockey who guided both horses to their championship runs.

“We’re going to hold off naming a rider for for a few more days, out of respect for Calvin and them,” Woolley said. “We’re going to give them a little more time.”

Jackson said if Borel decides to go with another mount, Robby Albarado would ride Rachel Alexandra. Albarado is Jackson’s regular A-list rider who rode Curlin to great riches and fame.

Mike Smith rode Mine That Bird in the Preakness but has a conflict and will not be available for the Belmont.

Borel, wearing a Rachel Alexandra cap, and his agent, Jerry Hissam, met with Jackson early Monday. Hissam said they would have “no comment at this time” as they came out of Asmussen’s barn.


Triple Crown for Borel?
It is not possible for a horse to win the Triple Crown this year, but it is possible for jockey Calvin Borel; he won both the Kentucky Derby (on Mine that Bird) and the Preakness Stakes (on Rachel Alexandra) this year. To date, it is not certain which beast he will ride on June 6th.

See our Belmont Stakes Page for full details.

Possible Belmont Stakes Contenders

Silk
 Horse Owner Trainer
Charitable Man Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Warren Jr. Kiaran McLaughlin
Chocolate Candy The Craig Family Trust Jerry Hollendorfer
Brave Victory Robert LaPenta Nick Zito
Dunkirk Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith Todd Pletcher
Flying Private Robert C. Baker & William L.  Mack D. Wayne Lukas
Luv Gov Marylou Whitney Stables D. Wayne Lukas
Mine That Bird Double Eagle Ranch & Buena Suerte Equine Bennie Woolley Jr.
Miner’s Escape Robert LaPenta Nick Zito
Mr. Hot Stuff WinStar Farm Eoin Harty
Rachel Alexandra Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick Steve Asmussen
Summer Bird Kalarikkal K. and Vilasini D. Jayaraman Tim Ice