2010 Apple Blossom Invitational

Its is somewhat official that Oaklawn Park has been able to put together a match up pitting the 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra and the 2009 Champion Older Mare and undefeated Zenyatta in the 2010 edition of the Apple Blossom Invitational.

Charles Cella the President of Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR has verified that the connections of both mares have confirmed that they will meet for the first time on April 9th. The purse for the race has been increased from $500,000 to $5,000,000, and the length of the race has been increased from 1 1/16th mile to 1 1/8th mile.

The race was previously set up to be run on its original date of April 3rd, but the connections of Rachel Alexandra did not feel comfortable bringing her back with 3 weeks rest after her first races of the year. We have now received confirmation that Rachel Alexandra will make her 4 year old debut in the March 13th New Orleans Ladies at the Fairgrounds Race course in New Orleans Louisiana. The New Orleans Ladies is for fillies and mares at 1 1/16th on the main track.

The major question I have is why is Jackson allowing her to prep in a race that is non-graded and Zenyatta will race in a Grade 1 as her prep. Not the best decision in my opinion, as the Azeri at Oaklawn would be the perfect prep for her at Oaklawn and a Grade III event.

But as long as they make it to the starting gate together on April 9th, none of that makes any matter. Stay tuned for more updates in the future.

AAF Update - 3.8.2009

Proud Spell the Winner of the Kentucky Oaks, and the Alabama Stakes has been pointed to a 1 1/16 allowance optional claiming race on March 12, 2009 @ Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Owned by ex Kentucky Governor Breton Jones, Proud Spell a 4 year old filly out of Proud Citizen has been putting in impressive works since starting to be cranked up by her trainer Larry Jones early in February. The last official workout was timed at 1:00.00 flat on March 5th, Jones had previously stated that she would work up to the Apple Blossom Stakes or possibly have a simulated race in the morning has opted for an actual race that will tighten the screws for the champion filly. According to the Daily Racing Form, Proud Spell will break from the 6 hole and face 6 other fillies. 1. Superior Storm, 2. Kathleens Reel, 3. Holistic, 4. Day of Victory, 5. Devil House, and 7. Grace Happens.
Another in Larry Jones' barn Old Fashioned a top Kentucky Derby contender put in his final prep for a running in the 2nd leg of the Arkansas Kentucky Derby Prep Schedule when he was put through a 5 panel work with Terry Thompson aboard. Old Fashioned was given the bullet designation for his work this morning going in splits of 11.60 and 23.20 for the opening quarter and then 35.60 for 3 panels and 47.20 for the half mile before finishing the work in .59 flat. He galloped out 6 panels in 1:12. Ramon Dominguez will be aboard Old Fashioned in the 1 1/16 Rebel to be run at Oaklawn Park on Saturday March 14th. The race will feature the 1-2 finishers from the Southwest stakes a race that Old Fashioned won by almost 4 lengths over Silver City who will ship back from Fair Grounds Race course in New Orleans to contest the Grade II Race.