February 21 - Now that the much-touted showdown between 2009 Horse or the Year Rachel Alexandra and unbeaten mare Zenyatta is confirmed (Saturday, April 3 in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (Gr 1) at Oaklawn Park), both horses have been delivering impressive workouts.

On Thursday morning 4-year-old Rachel Alexandra went out for her fourth workout of the winter at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans, and nailed it. She reportedly let loose at the five furlong pole and didn't slow down one little bit, clearing the far turn and the stretch at a break-neck gallop.

The clockers timed her covering the five-eighths of a mile in swift time of 1:00.20, and six furlongs in a time of 1:14.40. Those fortunate enough to witness Rachel Alexandra, arguably the best female thoroughbred the United States has seen in recent years, described her as 'gliding' around the track.

Rachel's early morning workout was the second fastest of the morning, only beaten by renowned sprinter Silver City, who covered five furlongs in a lightning fast time of 58.80 seconds. The fact that Rachel seems to have lost none of her speed from last year will have betting fans champing at the bit.

Zenyatta, meanwhile, has also been a busy little bee. Located thousands of miles away from Rachel Alexandra in Los Angeles, the 5-year-old mare breezed six furlongs in a none-too-shabby time of 1:14 at Hollywood Park on Thursday, leaving her trainer John Shirreffs with a big smile on his face.

'She just galloped around there,' he said. 'And she looked absolutely beautiful.' To keep Zenyatta comfortable, Shirreffs chose to work her in the company of another horse, the as yet unraced 4-year-old El Vino, who covered the same distance in a slightly slower, but respectable time of 1:14.20.

Zenyatta has not raced since winning the auspicious Breeders' Cup Classic in November last year at Santa Anita Park, and will need to be put through her paces before April if she is to be at her absolute best to take on Rachel Alexandra, a horse that many racing fans believe will only improve with age.