NEW ORLEANS — Rachel Alexandra was beaten by Zenyatta's stablemate, Zardana, in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday.

Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, was racing for the first time in more than six months in what was expected to be a warm-up for her showdown with Zenyata at the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn on April 9. Ridden by Calvin Borel, she was a 1-9 favorite.

Instead it was Zardana, going off at 9-1 and ridden by David Flores, that shocked the packed grandstand. Unforgotten was third.

Zardana paid $21, $3.20 and $2.60. Rachel Alexandra paid $2.10 and $2.10 and Unforgotten paid $3.20.