Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta set for Apple Blossom confrontation

[ateamstupid]

http://www.drf.com/news/article/110706.html

The highly anticipated showdown between Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated multiple champion Zenyatta will not take place in the Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on April 3.

Owner Jess Jackson announced in a press release late Wednesday afternoon that Rachel Alexandra would not be ready to run in the Apple Blossom. Oaklawn Park had raised the purse of that race to $5 million from $500,000 if both horses showed up.

Here we go.

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

http://www.drf.com/news/article/110706.html



Here we go.

Booth Operator in 5...4...3...2...1

[NTamm1215]

I'll just save him the time.

Big Mama ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Rachel Alexandra

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

I'll just save him the time.

Big Mama ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Rachel Alexandra

er, he would have said lucky, not rachel! otherwise, spot on.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

belmont

[Smooth Operator]

Originally Posted by Danzig

er, he would have said lucky, not rachel!

Ducky Alexander

[-BT-]

Assman said in DRF this past weekend that from a timing standpoint it wouldn't be ideal

go figure

anyone know her next scheduled race anyways?

-bt-

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by -BT-

Assman said in DRF this past weekend that from a timing standpoint it wouldn't be ideal

go figure

anyone know her next scheduled race anyways?

-bt-

If the earliest she will be ready for a prep is in the middle of March, that puts the 3/13 stakes at FG in play. If she isn't ready then, I imagine FG will work with Asmussen and Jackson to come up with something to get her prep race in before the meet ends. Who knows, it could end up being the NO Hcp at the end of March. Then I guess it is on to the La Troienne.

[letswastemoney]

This is just like when Seabiscuit and War Admiral kept ducking each other

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Cardus

Realistically, who anticipated an Apple Blossom showdown?

not me but i think the race will happen if rachel runs again. i'm hoping its in open company anyway. its clear that the fillies and mares are no match for either one of these horses. i want to see a real race with a real field. they put that kind of money up (5 mill). you could get a pretty good race not rachel , zenyatta and 4 or 5 scrubs from the female division.

[tector]

In other news, some snow is anticipated this winter....

[GPK]

"Out of respect for the level of competition and then importance of this race, I have told Mr. Jackson it was not in the bet interest of the horse to race on April 3," Steve Asmussen, trainer of Rachel Alexandra, said in the press release. "Getting to this level of fitness after a six-month layoff takes time. If all goes according to schedule, and we don't have any further weather delays, the earliest we could have a prep race would be the middle of March. It is then not fair to Rachel to ask her to race again three weeks later."


Give me a f*cking break. Now I am a huge fan of Rachel (as PG would say, she's a STUD), but not fair to ask her to race again 3 weeks later??? FFS, just retire her then. What a crock of sh*t.

[TouchOfGrey]

Oaklawn Park | Posted 2/11/2010, 4:20 pm
Apple Blossom showdown back on
By Jay Privman

Oaklawn Park's owner, Charles Cella, said the connections of Zenyatta (above) and Rachel Alexandra have agreed to race on April 9.

The Rachel Alexandra-Zenyatta matchup is on, according to Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella.

Cella said on Thursday that the Apple Blossom has been moved back six days, from April 3 to April 9, and that the owners of both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have agreed to run.

"The Apple Blossom Invitational has been renegotiated," Cella said Thursday afternoon. "Both principles are on line, and have pledged to me they will enter their horses and race. The date will be Friday, the 9th of April. All other conditions remain the same."

The Apple Blossom will be run at 1 1/8 miles, and if both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta run, it will have a purse of $5 million. Otherwise, the Apple Blossom reverts to its original $500,000 purse.

On Wednesday, Jess Jackson, the majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, said in a prepared statement that Rachel Alexandra would not be ready by the original date of the Apple Blossom, April 3, and that his request to have the Apple Blossom moved back one week had been denied by Oaklawn Park.

Cella on Thursday said he had been in touch with the owners of both horses over the previous 24 hours. The two horses have never met.

"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."

[10 pnt move up]

I guess they might get 5 horses with three hoping for 3rd money

[SilverRP]

Sweet!! Now if they could get Durkin to call it, that would be perfect.

[Scav]

on a FRIDAY?

That is really really stupid.

Something like this can be marketed to the moon on a Saturday, or better yet a Sunday, but they go and put it on a Friday.

[randallscott35]

WTF. On a Friday??

[Travis Stone]

Makes a lot of sense for Oaklawn... eve of the Arkansas Derby... now it's the biggest weekend Hot Springs has ever seen.

[tigerfan]

Originally Posted by Scav

on a FRIDAY?

That is really really stupid.

Something like this can be marketed to the moon on a Saturday, or better yet a Sunday, but they go and put it on a Friday.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Scav

on a FRIDAY?

That is really really stupid.

Something like this can be marketed to the moon on a Saturday, or better yet a Sunday, but they go and put it on a Friday.

i don't think they can put it on sunday, the ark derby is the last day of their live meet. altho, with having lost racing days, perhaps they could get permission to extend? i was going, but friday is a work day-have to check the schedule.
but i agree with freddy, it's not going to happen. but no doubt oaklawn is pre-selling tix like mad. i may still call just to reserve.