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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