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Oaklawn Park announces plans for Rachel and Zenyatta

Thu 4th, February 2010

Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) - In an effort to bring together Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and undefeated champion mare Zenyatta, Oaklawn Park has announced that it will increase the purse of the Apple Blossom Handicap to $5 million.

Being called "A Race for the Ages," the race, now known as the Apple Blossom Invitational, is set for Saturday, April 3 and will be extended from 1 1/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles. The $5 million purse will stand only if both champions race. The original $500,000 purse will hold if just one of the ladies runs.

"We have always pursued a goal of bringing the world's best racing to Arkansas," Oaklawn Park President Charles J. Cella said. "That is what led us to create the Racing Festival of the South more than 30 years ago. We have been even more fortunate in recent years. That gives us the opportunity to fulfill the promises we continually make to our fans, our horsemen and all of our supporters -- should this race come off as expected, it will most certainly fulfill every promise made."

Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have raced at the Arkansas track. Zenyatta won the Apple Blossom in 2008 as a four-year-old and Rachel won the Martha Washington and Fantasy Stakes last year.

Rachel Alexandra was undefeated in eight races last year with earnings of better than $2.7 million. Along with her two wins at Oaklawn, the filly captured the Fair Grounds Oaks, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose Stakes and Haskell Invitational. Her final race of 2009 was the Woodward versus older male horses.

In addition to being 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra was named champion three-year-old filly.

The filly is owned by Jess Jackson and Hal McCormick, and trained by Steve Asmussen. She is ridden by Calvin Borel, a two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders' Cup Classic last November at Santa Anita Park. The six-year-old mare has never lost in 14 career starts for more than $5.4 million.

"We commend Oaklawn Park and the Cella family for striving so aggressively to attract Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta," commented NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. "This is the matchup that every fan wants to see. Assuming that each horse remains healthy and fit, a showdown between these two great champions on April 3 in the Apple Blossom truly could live up to its billing as a race for the ages."

On Wednesday, trainer John Shirreffs confirmed that Zenyatta could make her first start of 2010 in Santa Anita's $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on March 13.

"It's a possibility," Shirreffs said from Hollywood Park. "We'll see what the weights are. That's going to be the deal."

Zenyatta is ridden by jockey Mike Smith for owners Jerry and Ann Moss. She has been voted champion older filly and mare for both 2008 and 2009.