Stable Notes

ZENYATTA-RACHEL ALEXANDRA SHOWDOWN LOOMS AT OAKLAWN PARK

The connections of undefeated Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Zenyatta would be willing to meet 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in a race for the ages at Oaklawn Park on April 3, if all goes well. Tentative plans call for Zenyatta to make her comeback race at Santa Anita on March 13 in the Grade I $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap. If all went smoothly after that, she could face Rachel Alexandra in the Apple Blossom Handicap.

SHIRREFFS WEIGHS SANTA MARGARITA RETURN FOR ZENYATTA

Undefeated Horse of the Year finalist Zenyatta could make her eagerly anticipated return to the races in the Grade I $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap at 1 1/8 miles on March 13.

“It’s a possibility,” trainer John Shirreffs said by phone from his Hollywood Park headquarters Wednesday morning after the 6-year-old mare worked five furlongs in 1:01.60, breezing. “We’ll see what the weights are.

CRISP RIVAL FOR BLIND LUCK IN SATURDAY’S GRADE I LAS VIRGENES

Blind Luck, Eclipse Award finalist for top 2-year-old filly of 2009, is at the ready for her 3-year-old debut in Saturday’s Grade I $250,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at one mile. Rival trainer John Sadler has the utmost respect for the impressive winner of the Grade I Hollywood Starlet on Dec. 20, but still plans to run the promising Crisp in the Las Virgenes.

“She worked at Hollywood this morning,” Sadler said of the daughter of El Corredor owned by Michael Talla of Los Angeles.

ESPINOZA, THE USUAL Q.T. IN ‘CLASSIC’ FORM

A resurgent Victor Espinoza, in a three-way battle for the lead in Santa Anita’s jockeys’ race, hopes to continue his surge on Saturday when he rides streaking winner The Usual Q.T. in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic presented by Pepsi Cola.

“Victor’s riding great,” said agent Tony Matos, “even though we haven’t ridden that many horses.

LEGENDARY ACTOR/OWNER JACK KLUGMAN TO ATTEND SUNSHINE MILLIONS

Legendary actor and enthusiastic horse owner Jack Klugman will be at Santa Anita Saturday to watch Pretty Unusual run in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino. The 87-year-old star of sitcoms, movies, television and Broadway shows owns one-third of the El Encino Stakes winner, along with Madeline Auerbach and Murray Goda.

“He’s a great fan of racing,” trainer Barry Abrams said of Klugman, a native of Philadelphia who now resides in Malibu.

FRESHENED UNUSUAL SUSPECT RETURNS IN SUNSHINE MILLIONS CLASSIC

Unusual Suspect is the exception to the rule in the training regimen of Barry Abrams, who has been known to race his charges at uncharacteristically frequent intervals. Unusual Suspect will be making his first start in nearly three months when he runs in Saturday’s $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic presented by Pepsi Cola at Santa Anita.

“His race in the Cal Cup Mile (Oct. 3, in which he finished sixth) didn’t set up well for him,” Abrams said.

POPULAR SUNSHINE MILLIONS RETURNS ON SATURDAY

The Sunshine Millions, which matches California-bred horses against Florida-breds, will be presented for the eighth time next Saturday, Jan. 30, at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park.

RACING RESUMES AT SANTA ANITA UNDER CLEAR SKIES

Under welcome sunshine and blue skies, racing resumed at Santa Anita Saturday after heavy week-long rains forced cancellation of live racing Monday, Thursday and Friday. Thanks to the tireless efforts of track superintendent Richard Tedesco and his crew, the absence of training on the Pro-Ride main track did not cause major scheduling alterations for most local horsemen.

“I didn’t even take Lookin At Lucky to the track,” said the meet’s leading trainer, Bob Baffert, of his latest Eclipse Award winner.

RACING NEEDS CHAMPIONS LIKE ZENYATTA, JOHN HENRY

Zenyatta is back and racing needs her. It needs star power, and she has it. The welcome news that the unbeaten mare would be “unretired” and continue to run in 2010 generated a breath of fresh air within the industry.

Ron McAnally knows. He trained one of the last major gate attractions, the late John Henry, a two-time Horse of the Year who was the rage of the 80s.

ZENYATTA COMEBACK ‘GREAT FOR EVERYBODY’

Perfection is back. The whole of racing, especially in Southern California, is enamored by the announcement Saturday by Jerry Moss that undefeated champion Zenyatta will race again.

“It’s the greatest thing to happen to racing in years, that they decided to run her again,” Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella said Sunday morning between training chores at Santa Anita. “It’s not like she’s ever been abused. (Trainer) John Shirreffs is not going to do that. She’s lightly raced (14 starts). What’s the point of retiring her?