Apple Blossom Anticipation
The excitement and anticipation surrounding the running of the 2010 Apple Blossom Stakes is reaching fever pitch as racing fans prepare to watch the magnificent Zenyatta in racing action. Rachel Alexandra has been withdrawn from the event, but there is still a star studded line-up of competitors to look forward to. Oaklawn Park, located in Arkansas, will be hosting the Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday, 9 April 2010, and will celebrate the forty-fifth running of this event. It is a Grade 1 event, that carries a purse of $500 000, and is exclusively for mares and fillies that are four years old and older.
In previous years, the Apple Blossom has been won by horses such as Zenyatta (2008), Azeri (2002, 2003 and 2004), Seventh Street (2009), Ermine (2007), Spun Sugar (2006) and Dream of Summer (2005). Many are hoping that Zenyatta will be able to remain unbeaten, and become the 2010 Apple Blossom Stakes winner. There will be five contenders in the starting gates for the Apple Blossom, namely Be Fair (Jockey: Calvin Borel), Taptam (Jockey: Cliff Berry), War Echo (Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan), Zenyatta (Jockey: Mike Smith) and Just Jenda (Terry Thompson). Punters are looking at Just Jenda to be the greatest competition for Zenyatta in this five horse field.
Just Jenda recently made her seasonal debut at Oaklawn Park in the running of the Azeri Stakes. She placed sixth in this event, but has enjoyed a number of breathtaking victories in her career, giving her an edge to be named one of the race favorites. She has won six of her thirteen starts, and has earned over $480 000 for her connections. Zenyatta, on the other hand, is at the age of six, still boasting a flawless racing career, winning all fifteen of her starts, and being voted top older female horse consecutively for the last two years. Zenyatta is trained by John Shirreffs, and owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, and after her breathtaking season debut in the Santa Margarita, it seems that she is ready to take on her next event. Racing fans are advised not to miss out on this spectacular race and the opportunity to see one of the racing greats performing live.
