Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra drew post 2 in a five-horse field for her 2010 debut in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 13 at Fair Grounds.
Regular rider Calvin Borel will be aboard, carrying 123 pounds, the maximum weight as the conditions are written.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra will break to the outside of Fighter Wing, who set the pace in last month’s Pelleteri Stakes before fading to second and has been on or very near the lead in all of her recent starts.
Brazilian-bred Zardana, winner of the 2009 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) has shipped in from Southern California for trainer John Shirreffs and drew post 3. Shirreffs also trains reigning champion older female Zenyatta, who is preparing to face Rachel Alexandra for a $5 million purse in the April 9 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park (gr. I).
The field is rounded out by Unforgotten, a multiple stakes winner with more than a half-million in earnings, who drew post 4, and Clear Sailing, the impressive Feb. 13 Pelleteri Stakes winner, in post 5.
$200,000 New Orleans Ladies, race 10 (5:15 p.m. CST) 1 1/16 Miles, fillies and mares 4 and up
Post Position. Horse, Jockey, Trainer, Weight
1. Fighter Wing, Corey Lanerie, Greg Geier, 117
2. Rachel Alexandra, Calvin Borel, Steve Asmussen, 123
3. Zardana, David Flores, John Shirreffs, 121
4. Unforgotten, Miguel Mena, Dallas Stewart, 117
5. Clear Sailing, Shane Sellers, Glenn Delahoussaye, 117
