Rachel Alexandra (right) is defeated by Zardana at Fair Grounds

  PICTURE: Fair Grounds/Lou Hodges Photography  

Rachel Alexandra ruled outof $5m showdown

USA: Jess Jackson, owner of American Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, has decided not to run his filly in the proposed $5 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 9, after she suffered a shock defeat in Saturday's New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds.

The Steve Asmussen-trained filly was due to face the unbeaten Zenyatta at Oaklawn, who recorded her 15th career victory in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita on Saturday.

"I decided today she will not be going to the Oaklawn invitational on April 9," Jackson said in a press release on Sunday.

"Saturday's race, while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra's racing condition. While she is healthy, just as I anticipated, she is not in top form. Steve and I regret we tried to accelerate her training in order to meet the Apple Blossom schedule.

"We have a whole season for us to help define her greatness. She will tell us when her next race will be."

Prior to Sunday's press release, Asmussen told Daily Racing Form: "She's not where we want her physically. That most likely eliminates the Apple Blossom.

"We're not comfortable to how she responded to the accelerated program so we're going to continue to train her at Fair Grounds and see what happens."

The purse for the Apple Blossom now reverts to its original $500,000 and connections of 2008 winner Zenyatta confirmed their filly for the race.

Owner Jerry Moss said: "We're disappointed that we are not going to be able to face each other in the Apple Blossom. Hopefully, we can meet down the line.

"We respect both Steve and Mr Jackson as horsemen, and they're going to do what's right for their horse. That's all anybody could ask for.

"We'll go on to the Apple Blossom as planned."