Rachel Alexandra is cranking up for her first start of the year, the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds, and after that, her April 9 showdown with Zenyatta in the $5 million Apple Blossom at Oaklawn.

Yesterday Rachel had her third work of the year. After breezing a half-mile at Fair Grounds on Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, Rachel went five furlongs in 1:03.8 over a sloppy track in the rain, completing her final furlong in 12.2 seconds.

Thursday, Zenyatta worked six furlongs in 1:13.8 at Santa Anita, where she will make her first start since the Breeders’ Cup in the March 13 Santa Margarita.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com