by Jeff Lowe
Trainer John Shirreffs said it succinctly on Wednesday in explaining why he and owners Jerry and Ann Moss prefer to start Zenyatta in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) rather than the Breeders’ Cup Ladies; Classic (G1).
“If she’s doing well, and she’s peaking towards that race, there is no reason not to go in [the Classic],” Shirreffs said.
So many questions pervade the rest of the field that undefeated Zenyatta has to be seen as having as strong of a chance as anyone in the 1 1/4-mile Classic, which would be her first start beyond 1 1/8 miles.
Rip Van Winkle, Summer Bird, and Gio Ponti have top credentials, but not on synthetic surfaces. Einstein (Brz) prevailed in the most important older horse race at Santa Anita Park this year, but he has followed with three straight defeats.
No male in the Classic field has more than one Grade 1 victory on a synthetic track. Zenyatta has six. She is the most likely favorite for the Classic, and while she would be an odds-on choice to score a repeat victory in the Ladies’ Classic (G1), that would hardly be a novelty since she has been the odds-on favorite in her last nine races against females.
Finally, she is on course for a daunting challenge.
“I think [for] Mr. Moss, it’s not so much for Horse of the Year honors as much to see his filly compete at the highest level,” Shirreffs said.
For the complete list of pre-entered horses in the Classic, click here.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer