What a year for mares in thoroughbred horse racing!
Five-year-old Zenyatta (Street Cry x Vertigineux), the dark beauty, blasted past all her male competitors on the 1.25-mile turf track to claim the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic title on Saturday, November 7th, at Santa Anita Racetrack, in Arcadia, California.
Clad in light blue, Zenyatta's jockey Mike Smith gleefully doffed his hat and looked gratefully towards the heavens after the race.
GioPonti finished second, followed by Twice Over in third place, in the Breeders Cup Classic race.
Breeders Cup Classic competitors included 2009 Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird.
Zenyatta is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, with John Shirreffs as trainer. The 2004 Kentucky-bred thoroughbred mare has won 14 straight races. Zenyatta won the 2008 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic.
Vietnam veteran John Shirreffs(64) also trains Life Is Sweet, winner of the 2009 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic (on November 6th) with jockey Garrett Gomez. In 2005, John Shireffs trained Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo as well.
Will Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra be named 2009 Horse of the Year?
Click here for additional horse racing articles from the National Equestrian Examiner.
Here's the video of Zenyatta's win in the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic at Santa Anita Raceway:
Comments
I've had Breeder's Cup enthusiasts from out of state staying with me this week. They say Rachel Alexandra is best of the best. We shall see.
Big day for horse racing. I couldn't really get into the Breeder's Cup this year, but it sounds like it was an exciting one.
That was amazing!! Thank you!! I love it when that happens. Makes me wish I'd been there though.
Awesome!
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Go Girls!!! Great article!
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