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From ‘a’ to ‘Z’ with arnold
Zardana’s Owner to Arrive Saturday Morning for New Orleans Ladies
By
NEW ORLEANS (Monday, March 08, 2010) – The “buzz” concerning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra’s rivals in Saturday’s $200,000 New Orleans Ladies mostly surrounds the Brazilian-bred mare Zardana.
That’s because she is conditioned by John Shirreffs, who also trains Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra’s projected rival in
However, taking things one step at a time, Zardana’s owner Arnold Zetcher was reached at Shirreff’s barn Monday morning, just before the owner-trainer duo headed back to the track to watch Zardana breeze five-eighths in 1:02.20 over
Why would Zetcher ship his mare all the way from Southern California to
“Well, we came up with about 20 reasons to try her and only one not to,” said Zetcher, who will arrive Saturday morning at Fair Grounds from his
“First of all, the mile and a sixteenth is (Zardana’s) best distance, and second of all, we wanted to try her on dirt,” said the retired CEO of Talbots, the multi-channel retailer of women’s apparel. “Also, I’m really looking forward to a trip to
Zardana’s past performances confirm the owner’s assessment of his mare’s ideal distance. She won Hollywood Park’s Grade II Bayakoa Handicap Dec. 5 at 8 1/2-furlongs over the Cushion track, and most recently finished fourth at that same distance in Santa Anita’s Grade II Santa Maria Handicap over the Pro-Ride surface there, but all her races in the United States have been on grass or synthetic surfaces.
“However, she won her first starts of her career in
“I bought my first horse about 10 years ago,” said Zetcher, “and I’ve been involved with some good ones. Richard’s Kid just won Santa Anita’s (Grade II) San Antonio Handicap Feb. 7 after finishing sixth (behind Zenyatta) in the (Grade I) Breeders’ Cup Classic last fall.
“Gabby’s Golden Gal won Santa Anita’s (Grade II) Santa Monica Handicap Jan. 31, and she also won the (Grade I) Acorn (at
“Although I lived in
Don’t Forget About Unforgotten in
Trainer Dallas Stewart, born in nearby
“Obviously, it’s a very tough race,” said Stewart Monday morning. “We’ll just go in there and see what happens.”
Unforgotten last visited the winner’s circle in the $125,000 Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs Dec. 4, and was also easily second best behind Augustin Stable’s odds-on Informed Decision in last summer’s Grade III Chicago Handicap at
“I also trained (Unforgotten’s) sister Hot Storm for Mr. Adams,” said Stewart, who won the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint with that mare at Santa Anita in 2006 and then came back to finish third in that same race with her when it was contested at Gulfstream Park in 2007.
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James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
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Rachel Alexandra in the
Starlight Racing Returns March 19
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