Oct. 4, 2010 (United Press International) -- It will be interesting to see whether Zenyatta's quest for a 20th straight victory will have any effect on the makeup of the field for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 6.
The big mare posted a heart-stopping victory in Saturday's $250,000 Lady's Secret at Hollywood Park for her 19th victory without a loss. In five weeks' time, she will try to end her racetrack career by defending her title in the Classic.
Thanks to some upsets elsewhere this weekend, and uncertainty about some European horses' target races, the field for this year's Classic remains a bit up in the air. And it's possible that some owners and trainers could look at Zenyatta's record and opt to tackle another challenge.
Zenyatta's 19th win tied her for the most ever by an undefeated thoroughbred. The other record-holder, Peppers Pride, races only in New Mexico.
Still, there were a few tense seconds during the stretch run when the huge crowd thought Zenyatta might not get the job done.
After tracking the pace from near the back of the field -- as usual -- jockey Mike Smith sent Zenyatta after the leaders as the field entered the stretch turn. By that time, though, a talented 3-year-old filly named Switch had got the jump on Zenyatta and opened a sizable lead. For just a few strides, it appeared Zenyatta wasn't gaining. Finally, she found the gear she needed, got by and won by a half length.
"She is just amazing," Smith said of Zenyatta, adding that Switch "ran great. She ran dynamite. I felt pretty confident through the lane and I was starting to hit my best stride toward the end and she galloped out strong.
"What can I say? She is what she is. She just seems to know where the wire is and she likes to make it a little dramatic. It is just incredible. To be honest with you, I try not to get too caught up into it because it's just too emotional."
Winning trainer John Shirreffs, asked if he had his doubts during the stretch run, said, "How could you ever doubt her? She's done some amazing things in the last 16th of a mile of races. Until the wire comes … she's got that ability to dig down. Her heart must be huge. She can always dig down and find a little more. She never gives up."
Switch's trainer, John Sadler, added, "I've been tip-toeing around the barn all morning, saying, 'I know we're going to give them a scare.' I'm just very, very proud of my horse. To run second to the best horse in the world and one of the greats of all time is huge."
Other races that could impact the field for the Classic
-- If it's not too early to suggest a likely long shot for the Classic, take a look at Haynesfield, the convincing upset winner of Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. In fact, if it weren't for Zenyatta, Haynesfield's performance in demolishing odds-on favorite Blame might make him one of the favorites for the Classic. With Ramon Dominguez up, Haynesfield shot right to the lead in the Gold Cup, opened up a daylight advantage and had plenty left at the end. Blame, winner of five straight graded stakes, rallied to take second but finished 4 lengths behind the winner. Fly Down, second in the Travers, was third in the Gold Cup, another 2 lengths back. Haynesfield, a 4-year-old son of noted sprinter Speightstown, could well have six straight wins himself had he not broken through the gate before his last start in the Whitney, where he eventually finished fourth. Toby Sheets, assistant to winning trainer Steve Asmussen, said he "wasn't sure if he would get the 1 1/4 miles. But he's won at 1 1/8 miles and kept on going. He made it look easy … . We'll see how he comes out of it and decide what's next." Sunday, Asmussen's assistant at Belmont, Toby Sheets, dismissed any notion that the competition might influence a Breeders' Cup decision. "I've never looked to see who's in there or said we're not running because so-and-so is in there," he said. Blame and Fly Down, both victimized by the lack of pressure on Haynesfield, also may move along to the Classic, their trainers say.
-- Lookin at Lucky overcame a long trip from California and a sloppy track to post a come-from-behind, 1 1/4-length victory in Saturday's $500,000 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park. Thiskyhasnolimit took the lead into the stretch but couldn't hold off the winner. Florida shipper St. Maximus Gato, finished third. Lookin at Lucky, with Martin Garcia up, ran the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43 2/5. "I thought he would be a little closer," winning trainer Bob Baffert said. "Down the backside, I was a little worried. But he started making his run in the turn. The first thing I asked Martin was 'What happened? Did you think you were riding Secretariat?' And he said, 'Yes.' Lucky showed today just how good he is. He accomplished a lot today with the mud and all." The Preakness winner had missed some training due to a fever leading up to Saturday's race.
-- Richard's Kid seems to be coming to hand at just the right time. The 5-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid, winner of the Pacific Classic in August, backed up that score with a stretch-running, half-length win in Saturday's $250,000 Goodwood Stakes at Hollywood Park. With Alonzo Quinonez up for trainer Bob Baffert, Richard's Kid saved ground early without losing touch with the leaders, then did his best running late. Crown of Thorns and the previously undefeated favorite, Twirling Candy, made the early going. Crown of Thorns held second, Dakota Phone was up for the show and Twirling Candy finished fourth. Richard's Kid got the 9 furlongs on the all-weather surface in 1:49.18. Baffert assistant Mike Marlow credited Quinonez. "What a smart ride," Marlow said. "He saved ground all the way. I think it was a winning ride just saving ground around the turn and riding on the fence. He ran tremendous. Alonso rode him very, very well."
-- Redding Colliery showed his heels to the field in Saturday's $250,000 Hawthorne Gold (OOTC:HWTHF) (TSXV:HGC) Cup at Hawthorne Racecourse, then had just enough left at the end to win by 3/4 of a length over Giant Oak. A.U. Miner also closed well through the stretch to finish third. Redding Colliery, a 4-year-old, Kentucky-bred Mineshaft colt, ran the 1 1/4 mile on a fast track on a beautiful Chicago fall afternoon in 2:04.16 with Rosie Napravnik up. "All I heard about Hawthorne was that it was speed favoring," Napravnik said. "They said that the stretch was so long, if you could put some distance between you and the other horses you were better off ... . I don't know where they are sending him next but I did hear the name Breeders' Cup and if he's going there I would love to be on him."
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Longchamp
Workforce gamely held off Japanese standard-bearer Nakayama Festa to win Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris, finishing a head in front. Serafina rallied to finish third after an incident before the stretch run involving several runners. Jockey Gerald Mosse had to take up sharply with Serafina, retreating toward the back of the field. Fame and Glory later was forced to check at a crucial time in the drive, costing him crucial momentum. Workforce, dominant winner of the Epsom Darby but a disappointing fifth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, had to squeeze out every ounce of run to hold off the late-charging Japanese challenger. Serafina rallied remarkably to regain contention and her stablemate for the Aga Khan, Behkabad, finished fourth. Workforce, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was ridden by Ryan Moore. "It is an ambition of every trainer to win the Arc," Sir Michael said. "I have had several good cracks at the race but never quite hammered it. I'm particularly happy that Workforce won as he has redeemed his reputation." He said he does not yet know whether the colt will remain in training next year.
Gilt Edge Girl posted a huge upset in Sunday's Prix de l'Abbaye, racing to the front early over the soft going and easily held off Lady of the Desert for the win. Although the race is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup, a transatlantic trip did not sound likely for Gilt Edge Girl.
Misty For Me moved strongly into contention for next year's 1,000 Guineas and Oaks with a handy victory over Helleborine in Sunday's Prix Marcel Boussac. Aidan O'Brien trains the Galileo filly for Moyglare Stud.
Wootton Basset remained undefeated in five starts and moved more strongly into consideration for the 2011 Classics with a front-running victory in Sunday's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Tin Horse and Maiguri dead-heated for second behind the winner. Wootton Basset, a son of Iffraaj, is nominated to the French, Irish and English Guineas and trainer Richard Fahey said consideration will be given to all three.
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Other weekend races with potential implications for the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs (NASDAQ:CHDN) :
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Turf Mile
One of the races that could be an alternate for some "Zenyatta-shy" trainers is the Mile. Unfortunately, that's no safe haven as a tough field is shaping up headed by Goldikova, who will be trying to win the event for an unprecedented third straight year. The 5-year-old confirmed her form on Sunday in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in Paris as she exchanged the lead with Regal Parade before finally taking command and winning by a half length over a determined Paco Boy. Dick Turpin was another half length behind. Goldikova finished the 7 furlongs on soft turf in 1:22.10 under Olivier Peslier. "Olivier rode a great race," winning trainer Freddie Head said. "She's fantastic. We'll go to the Breeders' Cup now." Trainer Richard Hannon indicated Paco Boy still might go to the Breeders' Cup while Dick Turpin will stay in training for next year.
Amazing Results lived up to his name in Saturday's $100,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial at Hawthorne, rallying from well back to win by a neck over Tybalt at odds of 12-1. The pacesetter, Exchanging Kisses, held third, another neck back. The favorite, Vanquisher, faded to finish sixth. Amazing Results, a 5-year-old, Illinois-bred son of Grand Slam, got the mile on firm turf in 1:35.65 with Eddie Perez riding.
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Ladies Classic
Havre de Grace won a stretch duel with favorite Blind Luck to take Saturday's $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Parx Racing. Awesome Maria was far back in third. Havre de Grace, a Kentucky-bred Saint Liam filly, raced close to the pace throughout, then opened a big lead by mid-stretch, while Blind Luck relied on typical come-from-behind tactics. At the end, Havre de Grace prevailed, getting the 11/16ths of a mile on a fast track in 1:40.93 under Jeremy Rose and avenging two photo-finish seconds to Blind Luck in previous races.