Zenyatta still perfect with 13th straight win

October 11, 2009|Associated Press

Zenyatta has done it again, running her record to 13-0 with a victory in the $300,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at Santa Anita yesterday in Arcadia, Calif.

The stellar mare tied Personal Ensign’s streak of 13 consecutive wins set 20 years ago.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta covered 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface in 1 minute 42.89 seconds. Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, she paid $2.80, $2.40, and $2.10.

Lethal Heat returned $7.40 and $4.20, while Cocoa Beach returned $3 to show. Zenyatta’s stablemate, Life Is Sweet, was fourth in the seven-horse field.

Zenyatta won the Lady’s Secret a year ago before going on to win the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

Goodwood Stakes - Mine That Bird has missed the winner’s circle again.

The Kentucky Derby winner finished sixth in the $350,000 stakes race at Santa Anita, keeping him winless in four starts since his stunning 50-1 upset at Churchill Downs.

Gitano Hernando, an 18-1 long shot, won the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48.39, earning an automatic berth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

Oak Tree Mile - In the $150,000 race, Cowboy Cal held off Global Hunter to win by three-quarters of a length.

Cowboy Cal ran the distance on the turf in 1:33.12 and paid $5.20 to win. The victory ensured a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Yellow Ribbon - Magical Fantasy took the lead in mid-stretch and went on to win the $300,000 race at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Alex Solis, the 4-year-old chestnut filly was timed in 1:59.59 for 1 1/4 miles. The victory earned Magical Fantasy a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf.

Champagne - Homeboykris and Devil May Care pulled off upsets in a pair of $400,000 Grade 1 stakes for 2-year-olds at Belmont Park.

Homeboykris, making his first start for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr., bounded to a 1 1/2-length win over Discreetly Mine. The gelding, now 2 for 3, earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Frizette - Devil May Care remained unbeaten in two starts, holding off even-money favorite Awesome Maria by a head.

Devil May Care paid $12.80 to win, getting the mile in 1:35.07 with John Velazquez aboard.

Jamaica Handicap - Take the Points held off Straight Story by a head in the $300,000 race for 3-year-olds on the Belmont turf. Take the Points ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.51.

Court Vision edged Karelian in a photo finish to win the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and earn an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Also earning automatic berths were Noble’s Promise, winner of the Grade 2 Breeders’ Futurity, and Informed Decision, winner of the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Club of America.