Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta Race is ON

For a moment, Rachel is pulled out of the race

Jess Jackson announced Wednesday February 10, 2010 that Rachel Alexandra would not be ready to race in the Apple Blossom on April 3, 2010. He deferred to her trainer Steve Asmussen who felt it too close in time to the the earliest prep race she could enter, and that is only if the weather cooperates. Rachel has only just started workouts recently and would not be at her best in such an important race. Jackson then proposed to the officials at Oaklawn to move the Apple Blossom a week later, but they were unable to do so because April 10, 2010 is already one of the track's most important days when it hosts the Arkansas Derby, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby.

Asmussen said. "Getting to this level of fitness after a six-month layoff takes time. If all goes according to schedule, and we do not 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."

Jess Jackson then began talking to connections at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association about the possibility of a three race series in which Rachel and Zenyatta would face off. Alex Waldrop of the NTRA said he will support any race that will feature two of horse racing's biggest stars.

Jerry Moss, owner of Zenyatta showed surprise about this announcement, telling the Associated Press, "I have no idea what he's even talking about. Which three races? And where? And when? ... we haven't even been consulted about it. So, I don't know what I'm supposed to say."


After concessions were made, the race is back on

On February 11, 2010, just a day after Jess Jackson's announcement, Charles J Cella, President of Oaklawn Race Track, conceded to move back the date of the Apple Blossom from April 3, 2010 to Friday April 9, 2010 so that Rachel Alexandra's connections would reconsider running in that race.

"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."

“The most important day in Arkansas sports history has now become the most important two days in Arkansas sports history. This is truly a race for the ages. I understand the concerns of all competitors in needing a prep race and properly preparing for a race of this magnitude, especially in light of the weather we’ve been experiencing recently around the country. Both parties want this to happen when their champions are at their absolute peak. This date makes that possible.”

“We're really excited about it. I'm not sure we will believe this is happening until after it's over.”


Video: Associated Press talks about the match
Video: HRTV Talks about the match