Any news on the big Oaklawn announcement?

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm not sure how they'll handle having lost those days, but i doubt a re-do on the racing festival dates will happen. if rachel isn't ready, she isn't ready. i doubt it matters one whit to her how large the purse will be! certainly i can see them meeting at churchill the first wknd in november-and i already have reservations for then as well. i don't see a reason the two won't meet at some point this year. i'd also have to think that both trainers have a big circle around that date in nov, and are working back from there as far as planning. they haven't shipped zenyatta out of state in close to two years, so you have to wonder just how keen her connections will be to do so. she flourishes in cali-and of course is still undefeated. i'll be surprised if she leaves her home before churchill.

I thought Z was at CD and ready to run on the Oaks card last year.

[lemoncrush]

Since the $5 million is true, that's probably too good to pass up. I really hope it happens, but also hope that they would meet 2 other times this year.

Ideally, another race in the summer, and then perhaps in the Breeders Cup.
Developing a rivalry during the year, rather than just running once.

[AeWingnut]

I have the days scheduled off

I am definatley going if they both run

[TouchOfGrey]

JESS JACKSON REMAINS NON-COMMITTAL ON APPLE BLOSSOM

Statement by Jess Jackson on Apple Blossom Invitational:

“As you have heard me say many times before, a number of factors must be considered when deciding where to race a horse — the number one factor being the condition of the horse. Rachel will tell us when she is ready to start her 2010 campaign and we humans must agree she is in top form.

My family and I would love to see her run at Oaklawn Park. If she is in top form and it fits in our schedule, we will be there. Rachel, as you know, likes the track having won twice there last year

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

likes the track having won twice there last year
__________________
thats why zenyatta will pass

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by hoovesupsideyourhead

thats why zenyatta will pass

She won there too. . . The distance seems more advantageous to RA than the track (not because I don't think she can handle longer).

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

the short dist to the wire out of the last turn is good for r.a

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

I have the days scheduled off

I am definatley going if they both run

i'm going if either shows.

[Left Bank]

Rachael will be a no show.There is no way Jackson is going to take on Z without a race under her belt first.I say no way,it's not gonna happen at Oaklawn.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by Left Bank

Rachael will be a no show.There is no way Jackson is going to take on Z without a race under her belt first.I say no way,it's not gonna happen at Oaklawn.

Asmussen likes to give his good horses coming off a layoff of more than 100 days 5-7 works spaced 6-7 days apart before running them in their prep for their main engagement. Assuming everything goes right and Steve works RA seven times with her works six days apart, that puts RA on schedule to make the 3/13 stakes at Fair Grounds. From then, it is 21 days to the Apple Blossom. It may be that RA will go from the FG race to the La Troienne. But regardless, if she doesn't make the FG stakes on 3/13, it is highly unlikely she runs in the Apple Blossom.

Don't get your hopes up.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

I thought Z was at CD and ready to run on the Oaks card last year.

beg your pardon, i should have said didn't run other than in cali in close to two years. she did ship a year ago, but was a scratch.