Oaklawn purse now down to $500,000

USA: Zenyatta will be chasing $500,000 rather than $5m when the superstar mare bids to extend her remarkable unbeaten record to 16 at Oaklawn Park on April 9.

The absence of Rachel Alexandra, ruled out after being beaten at 1-20 on her seasonal debut at Fair Grounds on Saturday, means the prize fund for the Apple Blossom Invitational over 1m1f will revert to just half a million.

Oaklawn issued a statement on Monday, saying: "Naturally, we are disappointed that Rachel Alexandra will not be here for the Apple Blossom Invitational.

"We look forward to welcoming Zenyatta back to Arkansas as she attempts to equal Cigar's modern-day record of 16 consecutive unrestricted victories."

The 16 consecutive-win mark is noteworthy is US racing as the milestone reached by both Cigar and Triple Crown winner Citation.

However, it is not a record in any real sense of the word, as even the modern-day US mark is the 19 wins achieved by lowly New Mexico mare Peppers Pride, who won her last race in December 2008.

Peppers Pride won just over $1m in prize-money and never contested a single graded stakes.

Zenyatta has already won more than $5.6m, and has nine Grade 1 victories to her credit.

Looking at Rachel Alexandra's defection, Zenyatta's owner Jerry Moss said: "We're disappointed that we're not going to be able to face each other in the Apple Blossom but hopefully we'll meet somewhere down the line.

"They're going to do what's right for their horse," he added. "That's all anybody could ask for.  We'll go on to the Apple Blossom as planned."

Among 45 fillies and mares nominated to the Apple Blossom are Zenyatta's stablemate Zardana - who floored Rachel Alexandra in New Orleans - Venezuelan star Bambera and Careless Jewel, who started favourite for last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic after a string of wide-margin wins.