Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Racing's Dynamic Mares Race Saturday
Zenyatta & Rachel Alexandra Top Apple Blossom Noms

March 12, 2010

As expected, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time champion Zenyatta were chief among the 45 fillies and mares nominated to the 45th running of the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (G1) at Oaklawn Park on Friday, April 9.

Nominations closed March 10. Should the two superstars enter the 1 1/8th-mile event, Oaklawn Park will extend invitations to eight other nominees to face them in what would be the richest race ever run exclusively for fillies and mares.The connections of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have both expressed their desire to see the two horses meet in the Apple Blossom and each has trained this winter with the trip to Arkansas in mind.

Rachel Alexandra, owned by Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormack, will race in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds on March 13. It is her first start since capping a perfect eight for eight season in the Woodward (G1) against older males at Saratoga last Sept. 5.

Zenyatta, racing for Jerry and Ann Moss, will also prep on March 13 in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational (G1) at Santa Anita in her first race winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 6.