Zenyatta added another win to her unblemished record with a one-length victory today in the G1, $250,000 Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita, while arch rival Rachel Alexandra was upset by Zenyatta’s stablemate Zardana, in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds.

“I’m just disappointed she didn’t win today,” said Steve Asmussen, the trainer responsible for Rachel Alexandra’s 2009 career that saw her crowned Horse of the Year. “It was lack in fitness. It’s our job to have her there and I didn’t do it.”

Asmussen went on to express his concern about starting Rachel Alexandra in the April 9 G1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn, which has guaranteed a $5 million purse if both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta compete in the race.

“If I thought she’d get beat, I wouldn’t have run her today,” said Asmussen. “So I’m definitely going to be cautious.”

Rachel Alexandra, racing for the first time in more than six months, battled Zardana, a 9-1 shot, through the stretch and was beaten by a head.

Zardana’s trainer, John Shirreffs, was absent from the Fair Grounds winner’s circle, because he was at Santa Anita Park, where he saddling Zenyatta for the Margarita, her 15th consecutive win in a perfect career record, and her first race since she won the GI, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 7.

Both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta were 1-9 favorites today. Zenyatta is considered by many to be the best horse racing in the world today.