One day after finishing second in her seasonal return in the New Orleans Ladies S. at the Fair Grounds, Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) was officially confirmed out of the Apr. 9 GI Apple Blossom H. Owner Jess Jackson confirmed Sunday that, although the defending Horse of the Year exited the race healthy, the four-year-old would not be shipped to Oaklawn Park for the match with champion Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). "[Saturday's] race, while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra's racing condition," explained Jackson.
"While she is healthy, just as I had anticipated, she is not in top form. Therefore, I decided [Sunday] she will not be going to the Oaklawn Invitational on April 9. Steve and I discussed this fully and we now regret we tried to accelerate her training in order meet the Apple Blossom schedule. We have a whole season before us to help define her greatness. She will tell us when her next race will be."
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This is rediculously disappointing!!!! I believe that there are too many excuses here. Rachel cannot beat Zenyatta on her best day or on any day for that matter and now we will probably never know who is the best. We will also probably never see that the Americans made a mistake by voting rachel horse of the year!!! just my opinion!