Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta could finally meet on April 9

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Horse-racing fans are on the verge of having the No. 1 item on their wish list fulfilled -- a race between the nation’s top two female horses, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

Charles Cella, owner of Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, has moved back the Apple Blossom six days, from April 3 to April 9, and he told the Daily Racing Form on Thursday that the owners of the two horses had agreed to run. That comes a day after Jess Jackson, owner of Rachel Alexandra, said his horse would not run in the Apple Blossom because the April 3 date was too early.
Cella has increased the purse from $500,000 to $5 million if Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra run. Zenyatta is unbeaten in 14 races. Rachel Alexandra was selected last year’s horse of the year. The race will be run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt.

‘I’ve never had so much trouble giving $5 million away,’ Cella said. ‘We’ve got a solid commitment, assuming, of course, their health continues.’

Both horses still need to run in tuneup races. Zenyatta has been training at Hollywood Park and is expected to make her 2010 debut next month at Santa Anita.

-- Eric Sondheimer