Rachel Alexandra’s owner wants three races against Zenyatta

The owner of horse of the year Rachel Alexandra said his filly won’t run against Zenyatta in a $5-million race in Arkansas, but he proposed a three-race series in which the leading ladies would meet.

Jess Jackson says he has been in discussions with the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Assn. and hopes details can be worked out with the owners of Zenyatta.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Jackson said that if training and racing schedules as well as purse money could be worked out, the three races would “rival the Triple Crown.”

Jerry Moss, who co-owns Zenyatta with his wife Ann, was surprised by Jackson’s announcement and told the Associated Press: “I have no idea what he’s even talking about. Which three races? And where? And when?”

A week ago, Oaklawn Park said it would boost the purse of the Apple Blossom on April 3 to $5 million from $500,000 if both horses competed.

TENNIS

Stepanek loses in San Jose

Defending champion Radek Stepanek became the first defending champion in two decades to lose in the first round of the SAP Open in San Jose, falling, 6-3, 6-4, to Xavier Malisse.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick beat qualifier Ryler DeHeart, 6-1, 7-6 (1), in a night match.

Robin Soderling secured a quarterfinal berth, while Nikolay Davydenko and Gael Monfils won their opening-round matches at the ABN Amro tournament in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Soderling, seeded third, came back from 0-4 in the first-set tiebreaker against Dutch qualifier Igor Sijsling to win, 7-6 (6), 6-2. Second-seeded Davydenko broke Spain’s Feliciano Lopez twice at the start of the second set to win, 6-4, 6-2. Frenchman Monfils, seeded fourth, fired 19 aces against Belgium’s Olivier Rochus to win, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Top-seeded Elena Dementieva beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-4, 6-4, in an all-Russian matchup to reach the quarterfinals of the Open GDF Suez in Paris.

Dementieva, last year’s runner-up to Amelie Mauresmo, broke Pavlyuchenkova’s serve five times and overcame four double faults.

ETC.

Braves make offer to Damon

The Atlanta Braves have made an offer to free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon, a person familiar with the negotiations said. Atlanta’s offer is believed to be for one year and include deferred money. Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, has said he is seeking at least a two-year deal. Detroit is also thought to be interested.

Damon, 36, hit .286 with 24 homers for the New York Yankees last season.

The Washington State football team has dismissed starting cornerback Brandon Jones, who was arrested Saturday by campus police and charged with driving under the influence.

Kia Motors America said it has an endorsement deal with golfer Michelle Wie and has agreed to become the title sponsor of the upcoming LPGA tournament to be held in March at La Costa.

The tournament will be known as the Kia Classic Presented by J Golf.

Mike Sealy, a three-time All-American at UCLA, is the new women’s volleyball coach for the Bruins, replacing the retired Andy Banachowski.