NEWS
Zenyatta ‘perfect’ in tune-up for Classic
Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010 1:52 PM
ZENYATTA
Benoit & Associates photo
by Steve Schuelein and Mike Curry
Zenyatta, the unbeaten two-time champion older female, completed her final serious preparations for the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) with a six-furlong workout on Saturday morning at Hollywood Park.
The six-year-old Street Cry (Ire) mare worked in company with stablemates Sarbonne under Isabelle Bourez and El Vino under Steve Willard with a small crowd gathered to watch her from the stable kitchen porch and another group of onlookers waiting to see her on the frontside. Ridden by regular jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta covered the distance on the synthetic Cushion Track surface in 1:11.80 after clicking off her first quarter-mile in :25.40, three furlongs in :37, and a half-mile in :48.60.
"I thought it was awesome, even better than last year," Smith said. "It was the way she did it. She was pricking her ears and cruising along. I think she went the last quarter in :23. It was something that put a lot of air in her. She should be ready to roll."
She galloped out seven furlongs in 1:25.20 and pleased trainer John Shirreffs.
“Perfect,” Shirreffs said of the drill. “Very good, very nice.”
Zenyatta will try to extend her winning streak to 20 on November 6 at Churchill Downs in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which she won last year at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park to become the first female winner in the race’s history. Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, she is slated to be shipped from Southern California to Louisville on Tuesday.
“She looked pretty good to me,” Jerry Moss said.
Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs, the Mosses' racing manager, also was happy with Zenyatta’s Classic tune-up.
“Fabulous as always,” she said. “She’s a very special horse.”
Steve Schuelein is a California-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
Video courtesy of TVG
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Jack, Balitmore, MD on November 01, 2010 at 07:59 PM
Handicapper, I echo your sentiments. I'm old enough that I got to see Secretariat, Ruffian, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Cigar, and all other great American champions that raced through the 70's, 80's, 90's, and right on through to present day. All of the afore mentioned are among the best that America has ever produced. But then again, so is Zenyatta. After she races in this year's Breeders Cup Classic. Down the line, when her career is examined, and picked apart by racing's "so called experts." The list of contenders, both male and female, that Zenyatta faced, raced, and conquered will read like a who's who of American G1 winners from her era of racing. Secretariat and Spectacular Bid were two of the most dominant colt's that I ever saw on the racetrack. Both had incredible speed and stamina. But of all the greats I've seen in my lifetime. None bring to bear the closing onslaught that Zenyatta brings to a stretch run. Incredible that race-mare, or any horse for that matter, has the ability to time again carry a boulder, while her competition carries a brick. Still, Zenyatta spot's her rivals 10 to 15 lengths. And still, without fail, always manages to find whatever gear is needed to pass all comers before the wire. Never once failing to come up short. In most of those races, not negotiating through traffic. But instead, circling the field out wide. Again, giving away more ground to rivals. But still, always under the wire first. Anyone who says this mare isn't pure class, and that she doesn't have the heart and will to win that any all-time great should have? Well, they're merely haters of the great, behemoth mare. And they're still living among the fantasy world of thinking that other filly was better. And trust me when I tell you. That really was a fantasy world. LOL.
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Posted by: kahu, lahaina, HI on October 31, 2010 at 02:56 AM
Amazing workout. Smith brings her up to the other horse, then draws her back for about ten lengths, then lets her fly. Workout out time on a cushion track -1:11.80. Can it get any sweeter than this? Zen did it with so much ease. Her strides were so long pacing on the back stretch compared to the other horse -but when she headed down the stretch, those long paces began eating the dirt and she just plowed. Go Zen, this is the moment horse fans have been waiting for.
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Posted by: bob, ft worth, TX on October 30, 2010 at 09:59 PM
which race is rachel in?
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Posted by: Dominic Campisi, Canyon Country , CA on October 30, 2010 at 03:45 PM
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN ZENYATTA RAN?
In life we always remember when major events happen, what we were doing and where we were. JFK’s assignation, the 1969 Apollo Moon landing, and 911. In sports it was Lou Gehrig’s speech, Clay beating Liston, Franco Harris’s immaculate reception, and Kirk Gibson’s homer. This November could possibly top the biggest sports story ever. The odds that this has even come to this point are like winning the lottery. A racehorse staying undefeated. Not just any racehorse, but a female (a filly) which brings the odds up even higher. If Zenyatta wins her second breeders cup classic, she will be 20 wins for 20 races. What, as sports fans, can we compare this too? Marciano’s record? The 1972 Miami Dolphins? DiMaggio’s streak? Tiger Woods domination? Where will this belong in history? It has to be near the top, you can’t discount it only because she’s a horse. So hopefully America will soon wake up and ask themselves WHERE WERE YOU WHEN ZENYATTA RAN?.
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