Potential Showdown at Oaklawn

We'll know long before April 3 if that will be the day that superstars Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta finally meet, but if Charles Cella, Oaklawn president, has his druthers, the day will go down in sports history. A recent announcement by Cella sweetened the pot for the Grade I Apple Blossom to $5 million, "provided that champions Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both start."

According to Cella, both owners are "enthusiastic" about the prospect, provided of course that their horses are "ready." The distance of the race, traditionally one mile and a sixteenth, will be extended to a mile and an eighth and if both superstars enter, the race will become an "invitational" with other leaders in the filly and mare division invited to compete. One would also assume they would all carry the same weight, since it is not a handicap.

We know both horses have begun light training. Whether or not they each need a race prior to the April 3 Apple Blossom is up their respective trainers but I would think they would each like a prep on dirt at the same distance. What is interesting is that both Rachel and Zenyatta like the track at Oaklawn, having each won significant races there, Zenyatta as a four year old and Rachel last year.

So look for some action, entry wise, from each "camp" and hope that the horses remain sound and in training. This could potentially be one of the most exciting races in thoroughbred history if and when it happens.

If it doesn't, the race will revert to its original status (as of Feb.4), with a purse of $500,000 guaranteed.