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Rachel Alexandra breezes in advance of New Orleans Ladies return
Jackson expressed his hope that the New Orleans Ladies would attract a solid field of competitors despite the imposing proposition for the others of having to face one of the top female racehorses in history. "I'd really like to have more than just nominal competition in the race," Jackson said. "Assuming it's a fair race I don't expect Rachel to have any trouble but at the same time, regardless of whether they're superstars or not, it embellishes the track's reputation and Rachel's reputation to have the best possible competition." Fair Grounds vice president and general manager Eric Halstrom was quick to express his appreciation to Rachel Alexandra's connections. "We're obviously thrilled by the news that Rachel Alexandra, already a legend based on her accomplishments last year, intends to make her 2010 debut at Fair Grounds," Halstrom said. "We are already working to make sure March 13 will be a special day befitting racing royalty." Oaklawn Park announced earlier Thursday that the date of the Apple Blossom had been moved back six days to April 9, in order to give Rachel Alexandra and champion older female Zenyatta sufficient time to each get one start before meeting for the first time in what Oaklawn is billing as the "Race for the Ages." The new date of the Apple Blossom places it 27 days after the New Orleans Ladies. Record rainfall in December and more high levels of precipitation in January repeatedly forced trainer Steve Asmussen to adjust Rachel Alexandra's schedule. More recently, however, she has posted official workouts on consecutive weekends, including a half-mile breeze last Saturday in :50 3/5. "It's not anyone's fault, but with the rain and the track conditions it's been a serious setback to Rachel's routine," Jackson said. "When you're training a horse it's an animal that needs to have a regular routine and Steve's been hard-pressed to keep her going given the weather. When we do get her to the track it's well maintained, but she's behind schedule and that means we're compressed to try to get everything done and keep her on schedule leading up to works and preparing her for a major competition at Oaklawn." Fair Grounds officials added the New Orleans Ladies to the stakes schedule last fall in hopes that a scenario such as this would play out. Now it appears Fair Grounds will get its wish -- to showcase the champion filly in front of New Orleans' faithful race fans. "It's always fun to visit New Orleans, one of the top cities in the United States," Jackson said. "My wife loves it. You have great food. The rebound has been phenomenal as far as sports are concerned so maybe that will help lead to a full recovery." Rachel Alexandra, who will be returning off a six-month layoff in the New Orleans Ladies, established herself as one of the all-time great fillies last year with historic wins in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Preakness S. (G1) and Woodward (G1), as well as six other stakes races, including the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). She also easily defeated champion three-year-old male Summer Bird (Birdstone) in the Haskell Invitational (G1).
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