Rachel Alexandra was beaten by Zenyatta's stablemate, Zardana, in
the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds Race Course on
Saturday.
Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year after going 8-0
as a 3-year-old, was racing for the first time in more than six
months. Still, the race was expected to be a warm-up for her
showdown with unbeaten Zenyatta at the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on
April 9. Ridden by Calvin Borel, who also rode her to a win over
males at last year's Preakness Stakes, Rachel Alexandra was a 1-9
favorite.
Instead it was Zardana, going off at 9-1 and ridden by David
Flores, that shocked the packed grandstand, quickly shooting from
third to first coming out of the final turn and winning by 3-4 of a
length.
Zardana posted a winning time of 1:43.55 on the 1 1-16-mile
dry and fast dirt track on a cool, breezy day in New Orleans.
Unforgotten was third.
Zardana paid $21, $3.20 and $2.60. Rachel Alexandra paid
$2.10 and $2.10 and Unforgotten paid $3.20.
Rachel Alexandra had the No. 2 post position and quickly
settled into second just outside of Fighter Wing. Borel seemed to
have Rachel Alexandra calmly following Fighter Wing until easily
pulling into first and moving to the rail in the middle of the
final turn.
Zardana, which had the No. 3 post and quickly settled into
third, remained close to the leaders throughout and then rocketed
down the final stretch. The two leading horses ran side-by-side for
much of the final stretch, with Zardana slightly ahead and holding
on for the win.
