It’s really going to happen.

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra is set to face off against Breeders Cup Classic winner Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap on April 9 at Oaklawn Park. Both parties have signed off on the race. Charles Cella, owner of Oaklawn Park, has agreed to move the race back in order to allow both more time to get a prep race in before the big showdown. This will be the biggest race since Seabiscuit faced War Admiral at Pimlico Racecourse in 1938.

The race will take place the day before the Arkansas Derby. I’m so excited I can hardly type! I plan to be on site for the race come hell or high water. Zenyatta will prep next month at Santa Anita. Rachel Alexandra’s connections plan to race her in the middle of next month. I would imagine her comeback race will take place at Fair Grounds. I want to see both get a nice and easy prep before the Apple Blossom.

The racing on April 9-10 at Oaklawn Park is going to be electrifying. There are very few things in the racing world better than this.

“The race is a go,” a delighted Charles Cella told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “Both parties have signed off on it. I feel like we’ve been through the ringer on this thing. Now, we’re really excited about it.

“This is truly a race for the ages.”

“I’ve never had so much trouble giving $5 million away,” Cella said. “We’ve got a solid commitment, assuming, of course, their health continues.”