Jess Jackson said Rachel Alexandra, his horse of the year, won’t run against unbeaten Zenyatta in a $5 million race in Arkansas in two months, but he’s proposing a three-race series in which they will settle who’s best of all.
Jerry Moss, who co-owns Zenyatta with his wife Ann, was surprised by Jackson’s announcement, saying: “I have no idea what he’s even talking about. Which three races? And where? And when?”
Jackson said he’s been in discussions with the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and hopes details can be worked out with the owners of Zenyatta. Moss said he had no idea any talks were going on.
Jackson said if training and racing schedules as well as purse money can be worked out, the three races would “rival the Triple Crown.”
A week ago, Oaklawn Park said it would boost the purse of the Apple Blossom on April 3 to $5 million from $500,000 if both horses competed. While Moss said plans call for Zenyatta to run, Rachel Alexandra won’t be there.
“It’s a shame they are not going to show up for that race,” Moss said. “In the meantime, there’s some plan here, to run in three races, to which we’re supposed to respond to, and we haven’t even been consulted about it. So, I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”
Moss said Zenyatta remains on schedule to run in the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita on March 13, and then the Apple Blossom. “Then we’ll see what’s next,” Moss said.
Bad back burden for Parnevik
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Jesper Parnevik sounded optimistic about returning to golf after speaking to a specialist who told him he could avoid surgery for a broken vertebrae.
One day after telling a Swedish tabloid that it would take a “miracle” for him to play golf again, Parnevik said rest and physical therapy could put him back on the PGA Tour in a couple of months.
He said he would go to Detroit next week to meet with Gary Gray, who specializes in applied functional science.
“The good thing is now I can do something about it. The bad news is I never expected it would be a fractured vertebrae,” Parnevik said.
Braves courting Damon
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have made a contract offer to outfielder Johnny Damon, who hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season.
• St. Louis Cardinals infielder Brendan Ryan had surgery on his right wrist and is expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Footnotes.
North Carolina’s Travis Wear is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.
• The New York Knicks are interested in acquiring Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady, according to Newsday.
• Carl Braun, who was chosen for five consecutive All-Star Games as a member of the Knicks, died of natural causes in Florida. He was 82.
• Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor underwent minor surgery on his right knee.
• Race 1 of the America’s Cup was postponed again, this time because of big waves on the Mediterranean Sea. Race organizers will try again Friday.
