Rachel Alexandra puts in work for Personal Ensign

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08/02/2010 - Saratoga Springs, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A little less than four weeks before she returns to the races, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra had a five- furlong workout Monday morning. The four-year-old filly will make her next start in the 1 1/4-mile Personal Ensign at Saratoga on August 29.

With jockey Shaun Bridgmohan riding, the champion covered the five-furlongs in 1:02.45 on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track.

"I thought she looked really good," said trainer Steve Asmussen. "Shaun did a good job with her. She obviously was very strong away from the pole, but she looked beautiful. This morning was a little warmer than it has been the past two days. I think the cooler weather this week has had her energy level very high, and we did a little more with her first work back today than we normally do off a race [because] of how she'd been galloping the past few days."

Rachel Alexandra will have workouts the next three Monday mornings leading up to the Personal Ensign, which will be her initial attempt at 1 1/4-miles. Her previous longest race was last year's 1 3/16-miles Preakness, which she won.

"She's always been very impressive; something that everybody has noted on is how she gallops out after a race," noted Asmussen. "She shows that in her training. It is going to be her first time at 1 1/4-miles running, and it isn't galloping out."

Owned by Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick, Rachel is no stranger to winning at Saratoga. As a three-year-old she won the Woodward versus older males. Her regular jockey is two-time Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel.

"I feel very comfortable, with her being here and having had the success she had last year," added Asmussen. "Right now, you try to get her work schedule where it is and hope that Mother Nature allows you to do that."

She won the $400,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park in her most recent start. The champion filly has won two of four races in 2010, including her last two, for $498,376.

Rachel has won 13 of 18 career starts for $3,446,730.

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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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