Zenyatta made a triumphant seasonal return when landing Saturday’s Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap but Rachel Alexandra suffered disappointment as she could finish only second on her first start of the year in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes.

The Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 9 was due to have featured the first clash of the superstars, but the Steve Asmussen-trained Rachel Alexandra will not be lining up now.

“Yesterday’s race, while a disappointment, helped us define Rachel Alexandra’s racing condition,” said owner Jess Jackson.

“While she is healthy, just as I had anticipated, she is not in top form. Therefore, I decided 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,” he told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.

Although Rachel Alexandra bypasses Oaklawn, Zenyatta remains firmly on course to try to extend her unbeaten run to 16 races in the Apple Blossom.

“We’re disappointed that we’re not going to be able to face each other in the Apple Blossom,” said Jerry Moss, co-owner of Zenyatta with his wife, Ann.

“Hopefully, we can meet down the line. We respect both Steve and Jackson as horsemen and they’re going to do what’s right for their horse. That’s all anybody could ask for.

“We’ll go on to the Apple Blossom as planned.”