Zardana Wins The New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds And Upsets Rachel Alexandra
Arnold Zetcher’s Zardana, ridden by jockey David Flores, won the $192,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 13, and upset the 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.
Trained by John Shirreffs, Zardana covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.55 and paid $21, $3.20 and $2.60. The Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra, under jockey Calvin Borel, placed second and returned $2.10 across the board. Unforgotten with jockey Miguel Mena aboard came in third and paid $3.20 to show.
“We wouldn’t have brought her here if we didn’t think she could get the job done,” said winning owner Arnold Zetcher. “She’s small but she doesn’t back down from a fight.”
As for Rachel Alexandra, her plans for what has been a highly anticipated showdown with the Shirreffs-trained Zenyatta, who won today’s Santa Margarita at Santa Anita Park, are now up in the air.
“If I thought she’d get beat I wouldn’t have run her today, so I’m definitely going to be cautious,” said two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “I’m just disappointed she didn’t win today. It was a lack in fitness and it’s our job to have her there and I didn’t do it.”
A decision won’t be made on Oaklawn Park‘s Apple Blossom until Rachel Alexandra’s connections have had the opportunity to evaluate today’s race and how the filly came out of it.
Other horses that raced in Fair Grounds’s New Orleans Ladies Stakes in order of finish: Fighter Wing and Clear Sailing.
Tags: Clear Sailing, Fighter Wing, Rachel Alexandra, Unforgotten, Zardana
"Zardana Wins The New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds And Upsets Rachel Alexandra" was posted on 13 March 2010 11:13 PM under Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Results & Payouts, Horses, Race Tracks, Stakes Races
10% Instant Bonus, Free & Fast Payouts
Up to 60% Racebook Deposit Bonus +5% Weekly Horse Betting Rebate
Get Reward Points For Free Bets