Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Zenyatta to Show Up the Boys at Breeders' Cup Classic
Zenyatta, the 5-2 favorite, will look to be the first filly or mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic tomorrow at Santa Anita. Photo courtesy Benoit Photo.
Zenyatta, the 5-2 favorite, will look to be the first filly or mare to win the Breeders' Cup Classic tomorrow at Santa Anita. Photo courtesy Benoit Photo.
The world of horse racing is still a bit sexist. The girls don’t really have a place with the boys, or so they say. Hopefully five-year old Zenyatta will prove them all wrong in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic tomorrow at Santa Anita Park to become the first filly or mare to win the Classic since its inception in 1984.
Winner of the last two Lady’s Secret Stakes and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic, she has won all 13 races with a total purse of over $2.7 million.
Those 13 victories have already given her a legendary status alongside Winning Colors, the last filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1988, and Personal Ensign who also went undefeated in 13 races before retiring in 1988.
“We think she deserved a shot,” Zenyatta owner Jerry Moss said of Zenyatta competing with the boys. “She’s coming to this race really well and has done everything right and she deserves to be here.”
Riding Zenyatta is hall of fame jockey Mike Smith who rode the 50-1 longshot Giacomo to a Kentucky Derby victory in 2005. He says the extra 1/8 mile of the 1 ¼ mile race shouldn’t be a problem for the mare.
“The extra 1/8 mile certainly should benefit her,” Smith said. “She runs 1 1/8 miles all the time, and she’s always galloping out with plenty left.”
Sponsored message
Racing against Zenyatta is Mine That Bird, the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner ridden by Calvin Borel, and 2009 Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird ridden by Kent Desormeaux.
While the field will definitely be a challenge for the mare, at 5-2 she is the odds on favorite to win the race in the fourth position.
With her reputation of coming from the back of the pack in the final stretch to pull off a victory, it should prove to be an exciting race down to the final gait.
As Smith said, “She should be ready to go.”
All Breeders' Cup Races tomorrow can be seen on ABC at 11:30 am and ESPN at 12:30 pm. The Breeders' Cup Classic will begin at 3:45 pm.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
