NTRA release

Mary Rampellini is reporting in Daily Racing Form that newly crowned 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and the undefeated Zenyatta have been offered a $2 million purse by race sponsor Jim McIngvale should the two female superstars face off against each other in the Gallery Furniture Distaff at Sam Houston Race Park on March 27.

Racing fans around the world are clamoring for a yet unrealized showdown between the 1-2 finishers in the Horse of the Year voting. Officials at the Houston racetrack say they would consider moving the date of the race if that would help secure a matchup.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing to try and get the two ladies here,” said Andrea Young, President of Sam Houston Race Park, in Daily Racing Form.

The Gallery Furniture Distaff would be contested at a distance of 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, and despite the word “Distaff” in the race title, Sam Houston officials say that the race would also be open to male entrants.