Rachel Alexander was among 24 nominations to Saturday’s 53rd Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Stakes. But it appears only four fillies will challenge the Preakness champ in the one-turn Grade 1 at 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin nominated three fillies, but nary a one will run. On Monday, he announced multiple graded stakes winner Justwhistledixie would instead be pointed to another Grade 1 -- the seven-furlong Test Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won eight times, ran second four times and finished third five times since May 13. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your betting strategy.

Calvin Borel has emerged as the star of this year’s racing scene and stands a good chance of becoming the only jockey to win the Triple Crown on two different horses. With Preakness winner Rachel Alexander sitting out the Belmont Stakes, Borel climbs aboard Mine That Bird, who he guided to a surprising Kentucky Derby victory.

Flamboyant financier Leonard W. Jerome and well-heeled friends, including banker August Belmont Sr., built a racetrack in the Bronx that opened on Sept. 25, 1866. The crowd at Jerome Park, named for its founder, included Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and members of New York’s fashionable society. It was the first track to attract women in large numbers. Even the horses were chic – ribbons of owners’ colors were braided into their manes and tails.