Zenyatta, following her nineteenth consecutive win last weekend in the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Hollywood Park, is poised to cap her amazing career on November 6, in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
In 2009, at Santa Anita Park, the then 5-year-old mare became the first female in history to win the Classic.
“She is just amazing,” said Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, following the Lady’s Secret, where Zenyatta overtook Switch in the final 20 yards to win by a half-length. She covered the last sixteenth of the 1 1/16-mile race in less than six seconds for a finish time of 1:42.97.
“She just seems to know where the wire is and she likes to make it a little dramatic,” added Smith, who has ridden Zenyatta in all but her first three races, for trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss.
With last weekend’s win, Zenyatta matched the 19-win record of Peppers Pride, who earned her victories in races limited to New Mexico-breds. The $150,000 winner’s payout also made Zenyatta the all-time the leading female money earner, with $6.4 million, surpassing Ouija Board, who retired in 2006 with $6.3 million.
The 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic will mark Zenyatta’s first start at Churchill Downs; her second start against males; and her third start over a dirt track. Both of her previous dirt races were at Oaklawn Park, where she won the 2008 and 2010 Apple Blossom Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
“She’ll be better going a mile and a quarter,” said Smith, referring to the Breeders Cup Classic distance. “Going a mile and a sixteenth is a sprint for her.”
Zenyatta will remain with Shirreffs at Hollywood Park, until she is shipped to Churchill Downs at the first of November.