Rachel vs. Zenyatta for … One Trillion Dollars???

Not quite, but it could be closer than you may think. Oaklawn Park owner and president Charles Cella has proclaimed a major announcement is forthcoming. Apparently, he is primed to promote one of the biggest races ever seen at the historic racetrack. The details of what he will announce at 10 a.m. CST tomorrow have been kept quiet. The immediate reaction by everyone, was to assume he was speaking of the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap and the possible combatants. The match up that everyone craves to see, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta together on the racetrack, taking place on April the 3rd at Oaklawn Park. Could this actually be the big announcement? Yes. Here is what I expect Mr. Cella to announce: Oaklawn Park will offer $5 million if both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, run in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom. That would mean the normal Apple Blossom purse will be increased by ten times, making it the richest winner’s purse in American racing history, which in turn would mean that the chances of getting them together in the starting gate, in eight short weeks, is quite good. Five million dollars is big. It demonstrates a willingness by important people within the business to do whatever it takes to see our sport step up and promote the best thing that has happened in racing for a long time. I praise Mr. Cella and the Oaklawn Jockey Club for going for it in a big way. Alone Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are both stars. Together they will create a happening that many feared was lost forever in the world of Thoroughbred horse racing. The huge purse increase for the megastars creates a bit of a slippery slope, but frankly, I do not care. The bottom line is we see Rachel and Zenyatta together, once and for all. Why Oaklawn and the Apple Blossom? It provides a fair dirt track that both horses have run on, and won on previously. Zenyatta won the 2008 Apple Blossom impressively. In her only career start on dirt, she defeated the reigning Eclipse Award winning mare, Ginger Punch. Meanwhile, Rachel Alexandra won two of her first three starts in her 2009 Horse of the Year campaign, romping in both the Martha Washington and Fantasy Stakes. The timing of the Apple Blossom also opens the door for more meetings throughout the year, hopefully culminating with both stars racing in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs. Leading up to the Apple Blossom, look for both horses to have one preparatory race. For Zenyatta, it will likely be the Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita on March 13. Rachel Alexandra very well could use the newly created New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds on March 13 as her prep. Will this happen? Only time will tell, but if it does, the world will stand still as the stars align. Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta, make it happen!