A “Race for the Ages.”
That is what Oaklawn Park is calling for, and the track has called a press conference on Thursday to announce their plans.
A release stated the race was, “regarding one of the greatest stakes in our 106-year history,”
The speculation of course centers on a possible showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, most likely in the Apple Blossom Stakes on April 3.
The purse for the race is $500,000, and it likely the track will announce a major increase in the purse, hoping to lure the two super females.
Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have won over the Oaklawn Park surface, and the track seems a perfect “middle ground” for the two to meet.
Rachel Alexandra is in light training at Fair Grounds, and the weather in New Orleans has not been ideal the past month.
Zenyatta is in training in Southern California and a start in March seems likely.
Oaklawn Park is having an invitation only breakfast at 10:00am CT to make the announcement.
Rachel Alexandra is owned by Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick and Zenyatta is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, and at least late on Wednesday, both parties have been mum on the subject.
A meeting for these two superstars in April would certainly give horse racing a real shot in the arm, and just a month before the Kentucky Derby.
We just need to keep our fingers crossed they can stay healthy and make it to Hot Springs ready to go in two months.
To purchase my full card report for Aqueduct that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Aqueduct to get our day off to a good start:
AQU Race 1 Clm $7,500B (12:30 ET)
#7 New Spirit 5/1
#4 Charing Cross 10/1
#5 Vinnies Wild Tale 8/5
#8 Davy's Bank 8/1
Analysis: #7 New Spirit stalked the early pace, made a good middle move, and then flattened out in the stretch going six furlongs in his local debut, his first start off a 2 1/2 month break. The gelding makes his third start since arriving in the U.S. and his first go around two turns. The gelding has enough pedigree to handle the stretch out and the gelding showed some promise in his native Chile, winning his first three career starts. This looks like a weak spot and the short price favorite #5 Vinnies Wild Tale sure looks like a bounce candidate coming off his career top.
#4 Charing Cross has made 24 starts and this will be his first go at a route. The gelding failed to fire in his last two starts after beating $10K non winners of two back in December in a sharp effort. The gelding gets in light as he is reunited with the bug Serpa. The gelding will need to move forward off his last two, but catches a weak looking group and the 10/1 ML looks fair enough to toss him in the mix in this spot.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 3/1 or better.
EX: 4,7 / 4,5,7,8
TRI: 4,7 / 4,5,7,8 / 4,5,6,7,8
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:
AQU Race 8 Alw $41,000N1X (3:49 ET)
#6 Honeymoon Suite 7/2
#8 Imthequeenofqueens 2/1
#3 Bearusa 3/1
#7 Jabbar 6/1
Analysis: #6 Honeymoon Suite was the beaten fav last out, making a good late rally to come up three lengths shy of the top spot over a racing strip that was playing to inside speed. The mare was claimed out of the race by the Contessa barn that is 15% winners first off the claim. The mare sheds a few pounds picking up Serpa and looks ready for a good one here in her third start since arriving from Canada.
#8 Imthequeenofqueens just missed last out, coming up a neck short at the wire as the beaten chalk. Two back over a muddy track Ramon sent her, setting the early fractions before weakening to finish fourth. Note the jock lands with the Asmussen runner here, which is not that surprising although he does win at a high % for Parisella. She catches a pretty weak group of state breds here but the 2/1 ML seems a bit on the light side.
Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 6,8 / 3,6,7,8
TRI: 6,8 / 3,6,7,8 / 3,4,6,7,8
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Aqueduct
R1: #4 Charing Cross 10/1
R1: #8 Davy’s Bank 8/1
R3: #5 Lady Apple 12/1
R4: #7 Siwanoy Lila 12/1
R5: #1 Fast Spender 15/1
R7: #7 Regents Ridge 10/1
Good luck today!