Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will begin their much anticipated 2010 campaigns on Saturday.

Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) will start first-up in the Listed New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds while Zenyatta (Street Cry) returns in the G1 Santa Margarita Hcp at Santa Anita.

Rachel Alexandra is the reigning US Horse of the Year and she will face four others over 1700m.  The race does not appear as if it will be too taxing for the champion although there might be just enough quality among her rivals to ensure she gets something meaningful from the outing.

Meanwhile on the west coast, Zenyatta arrived from Hollywood Park yesterday looking every inch the champion.

Zenyatta will be making her first start since a dramatic last-to-first victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.  The win improved her scorecard to a perfect 14-for-14 which surpassed Hall of Fame mare Personal Ensign.  

Regular rider Mike Smith will be aboard the massive six-year-old mare who is three-for-three at the Santa Margarita distance of 1800m.

The two champions will go head-to-head in a $5 million showdown in the G1 Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on April 9.