Jess Jackson, principal owner of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, announced March 14 that the 4-year-old filly will not face Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park April 9.

Jackson’s announcement, after consultation with trainer Steve Asmussen, comes a day after Rachel Alexandra was defeated by Zenyatta’s stablement, Zardana, by three-quarters of a length in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 1 1/16-mile race was designed as a prep for Rachel Alexandra’s much-antiicpated showdown with the undefeated Zenyatta.

"Yesterday’s race while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra’s racing condition," Jackson said in his statement. "While she is healthy, just as I had anticipated she is not in top form. Therefore, I decided today she will not be going to the Oaklawn Invitational on April 9. Steve and I discussed this fully and we now regret we tried to accelerate her training in order meet the Apple Blossom schedule. We have a whole season before us to help define her greatness. She will tell us when her next race will be."

The Daily Racing Form quoted Asmussen as saying, "She’s clearly not up to her previous level