Rachel out of Zenyatta showdown

12 Feb 2010 - 10:13:53

Connections of Rachel Alexandra have turned down a $5million purse offer from Oaklawn Park to face fellow wonder filly Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Stakes.

Eleven-time winner Rachel Alexandra pipped Breeders' Cup Classic heroine Zenyatta to the Horse of the Year title last month and the dream clash looked to be on in the Apple Blossom on April 3.

However, Rachel Alexandra's trainer Steve Asmussen told www.thoroughbredtimes.com: "Getting to this level of fitness after a six-month lay-off takes time. If all goes according to schedule, the earliest we could have a prep race would be the middle of March."

He added: "It is then not fair to Rachel to ask her to race again three weeks later."

Rachel Alexandra's majority owner Jess Jackson is meeting with American officials to work on arranging a three-race series with Zenyatta.

Bookmark and Share

Add your comment * required information

*

*

This will be kept private & will not be displayed alongside your comment.

*

eg. London, UK

*

Please tick to confirm that you have read golf.co.uk terms & conditions.