Rachel's first start will be the "New Orleans Ladies"

Jess Jackson announced that Rachel will make her 4-year-old debut in the March 13, 2010, 1-1/16 mile $200,000 (not graded) New Orleans Ladies, at Fair Grounds Race Track in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is a new race created by officials at Fair Grounds in hopes that Rachel Alexandra would make her first start of the season there. This would be considered a prep race for her April 9, 2010 showdown with Zenyatta.

"We're obviously thrilled by the news that Rachel Alexandra, already a legend based on her accomplishments last year, intends to make her 2010 debut at Fair Grounds," track vice president Eric Halstrom said. "We are already working to make sure March 13 will be a special day befitting of racing royalty."

"There are other tracks that have offered to have us go, but right now we would prefer to stay here," Jackson said.

Hopefully, the New Orleans Ladies will not be wet like it was last year when Rachel won the Fair Grounds Oaks. Interestingly, the two races will be almost exactly (shy just one day) a year apart.

Rachel won the Fair Grounds Oaks last March 2009, in the slop.