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LT
March 14, 2010

Horse of the Year 2009, Rachel Alexandra will most likely be withdrawn from the invitational Apple Blossom event set to take place at Oaklawn Racecourse on April 9th.

Hoping to stage a showdown between Rachel Alexandra and her fiercest competitor Zenyatta, Oaklawn management offered a purse of $5 million under the condition that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both start in the race. While Rachel Alexandra’s connections initially agreed after their request to reschedule the race from April 2nd to April 9th to give their charge more time to train was granted.

However, Rachel Alexandra’s first race of the year at the New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds on Saturday March 13th caused trainer Steve Asmussen to reconsider in regards to the Apple Blossom. Although his charge did by no means run an unworthy race, she did lose by a three-quarter length to Zardana; making Saturday’s race Rachel Alexandra’s first defeat since 2008. While a second place would not cause great discouragement when dealing with some other race horses, Rachel Alexandra’s previous outstanding performances have proven beyond a doubt that she can in fact do better.

Asmussen and owner Jess Jackson have stated that Rachel Alexandra is not yet back to form and unlikely to start in the Apple Blossom. However, the champion filly’s connections are by no means losing faith in her ability; they merely don’t want her return to the racing circuit after a very busy 2009 season to be too stressful. The aim is to slowly train Rachel Alexandra back to form without putting too great a strain on her by pitching her against Zenyatta in what would be the most strenuous race of her career so far.

With Rachel Alexandra no longer a sure attendee at the Apple Blossom, the purse has shrunk back to its original amount of $500,000; with Zenyatta handled as the favourite for the race.

If you would like to support Zenyatta or rather bet on one of the outsiders who may race to a surprise win in the upcoming Apple Blossom, check the odds and bet directly at Sportsbook.com.