Cella's offer could have been better

Now that Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella has dangled the $5 million carrot in front of the owners of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta....

Why has a general consensus developed among racing media and fans that the two champions should meet in a race restricted to fillies and mares? I find this conventional wisdom to be a tad insulting. Both champions have a proven track record against males, so why exclude them from a possible showdown? It seems Cella almost had to offer an astronomical purse for the Apple Blossom in order for there to be any incentive to enter a filly or mare against Rachel and Zenyatta. Now the third-place check for the Apple Blossom is worth a cool $500,000, which should attract more than a few no-hopers.

This concern about a respectable field size could have been alleviated, however, if Cella had offered to boost the Oaklawn Handicap to, say, $3 million. Maybe $4 million. That probably would have been more than enough to attract the two gals plus some highly respectable male contenders, Quality Road for example. By thinking narrowly, Cella potentially cost himself more money than he needed to spend. Besides, which race, the Apple Blossom or Oaklawn Handicap, could presently use a boost in stature?

And why the tinkering with the Apple Blossom distance by extending it to nine furlongs? Who was adamant about having the Apple Blossom at 1 1/8 miles when both champs are pros at the original 1 1/16 miles? (my guess: Moss). As Zenyatta will more than likely have a nine-furlong prep in the Santa Margarita Handicap, the slight extension in distance might very well dissuade the connections of Rachel Alexandra from participating if she can not get an adequate prep in before the first Saturday in April.

Cella was very close to convincing me his plan of action would produce the race virtually all fans want. But upon further analysis, I think his plan ultimately fails. We'll see.