Rachel Alexandra defeated by stablemate of Zenyatta
March 14th 2010 06:42
When trainer John Shirreffs entered Zardana at Fair Grounds to race against her stablemate Zenyatta’s arch rival, Rachel Alexandra, it was more of a fact finding mission to estimate the difference between his stable star and Rachel Alexandra. Shirreffs would know only too well the difference between his two mares. This race the opportunity to shed more light on the split opinions of the racing public.
(photo: Joe Drape)
But in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Zardana edged past the US 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to come away and win by 3/4 of a length.
Meanwhile - at Santa Anita Park - Zenyatta returned to racing with a typical Zenyatta performance, being last into the straight and storming home for a length and three-quarter victory.
The long-awaited clash between the two female superstars in the $US5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on the 9th of April is now in jeopardy.
“John kept telling me that it’s a mile-and-an-eighth race, which meant I want you to make this as easy as possible for her. Before her, I never thought any horse of this size can do what she can do. She did all out there today. All I did was a little guiding.” - jockey of Zenyatta, Mike Smith.
“How tired she is off this will be established in the coming days. You take her back, you evaluate her, you see how her mood is, her diet, how she goes back to the racetrack, how she breezes. No crystal ball could see that far ahead.”
"She was strong early and got tired. I'm just disappointed she didn't win today. It was a lack of fitness and it's our job to have her there and I didn't do it."
- trainer of Rachel Alexandra, Steve Asmussen, as reported on AP.
Zardana defeating Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds.
Zenyatta, right, ridden by Mike Smith, won the Santa Margarita Invitational, improving to 15-0.
(photo: Joe Drape)
But in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Zardana edged past the US 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra to come away and win by 3/4 of a length.
Meanwhile - at Santa Anita Park - Zenyatta returned to racing with a typical Zenyatta performance, being last into the straight and storming home for a length and three-quarter victory.
The long-awaited clash between the two female superstars in the $US5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on the 9th of April is now in jeopardy.
“John kept telling me that it’s a mile-and-an-eighth race, which meant I want you to make this as easy as possible for her. Before her, I never thought any horse of this size can do what she can do. She did all out there today. All I did was a little guiding.” - jockey of Zenyatta, Mike Smith.
“How tired she is off this will be established in the coming days. You take her back, you evaluate her, you see how her mood is, her diet, how she goes back to the racetrack, how she breezes. No crystal ball could see that far ahead.”
"She was strong early and got tired. I'm just disappointed she didn't win today. It was a lack of fitness and it's our job to have her there and I didn't do it."
- trainer of Rachel Alexandra, Steve Asmussen, as reported on AP.
Zardana defeating Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds.
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