February 14 - The horseracing world was abuzz last week when Charles Cella, owner of Oaklawn Park Racecourse in Arkansas, offered to up the purse of the Apple Blossom Invitational (Gr 1) to a whopping $5 million provided both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta ran. Now it looks like it will go ahead.

According to reports, the connections of both mares have agreed in principle to the race. However, its original date of Saturday April 3 has been pushed back to Friday April 9. Said Cella, 'The race has been renegotiated. Both principals are on line and have pledged to me they will enter their horses and race.'

This is fantastic news for horseracing fans who have been waiting with anticipation to watch America's two best female thoroughbreds go head to head. Although Rachel Alexandra was named 2009 Horse of the Year, there were only two nominees, her and Zenyatta, who won every one of her 14 career races.

If the race goes ahead, it will no doubt create one of the biggest horseracing betting frenzies seen this decade as fans back their favourite to win. The Apple Blossom Invitational will be contested over 1 1/8 miles by just 10 runners, including the two stars. But if either one pulls put, the purse goes back to $500,000.

Said Jess Jackson, majority owner of Rachel Alexandra, "We are delighted that the race is now on for April 9 and want to especially thank Charles Cella and Oaklawn for moving the date.' Jackson reportedly informed Cella that Rachel would not be ready by April 3, which is why the race was pushed back.

Meanwhile, Zenyatta's owners were surprised to learn this week that Jackson had reportedly contacted the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) in connection with setting up a host of races between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. 'The whole thing was a big surprise to us,' said owner Jerry Moss.

'We knew nothing about it. We absolutely were not a party to any of it. We'd like to see in writing what's intended. As far as we're concerned, our focus for now is on Oaklawn Park and the Apple Blossom Invitational, and we're still hoping that happens,' he said. Moss owns Zenyatta together with his wife Ann.