Horse Racing: Zenyatta, the reigning Queen (Part 3)
The unbeaten American Thoroughbred race horse, Zenyatta is one of the most talented race horses that the sport has ever witnessed in history. The six year old mare has won all the meets that she has contended in her career so far. All her major victories
and races of the 2008 and 2009 seasons have been mentioned in the previous editions of her profile. This particular edition will bring to the limelight the great mare’s achievements in this year’s horse racing season.
After the splendid walkout parade at Santa Anita, many experts and fans thought that the unbeaten champion was going to retire from the athletic career. However, on 16th January 2010, it was declared that Zenyatta will be running at the 2010 season’s
races.
Sports analysts and experts of the sport were looking forward to the Apple Blossom Invitational, after it was announced that Rachael and Zenyatta will be running together in this race, earlier this year. The race took place on the 9th of April
2010 and was the first meet that Rachael was to participate in after her victory in Woodward on 5th of September. It was also announced in early 2010 that Zenyatta will not be running in the Dubai World Cup.
There were discussions within the American Horse Racing Association that the two great thoroughbreds (Rachael Alexandra and Zenyatta) should meet in a series of three races in the 2010 racing season. The representatives suggested an event like the Triple
Crown, the one which will only revolve around the two horses.
Contrary to the announcement about the Zenyatta and Rachael meeting at the Apple Blossom Invitational, Rachael’s associates announced that she will no longer be a part of the aforementioned encounter. This announcement was made after Rachael was held off
by Zenyatta’s stable mate Zardana in the Grade III New Orleans Ladies Stakes which took place at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on 13th of March 2010.
On the same day, Zenyatta added a 15th victory to her career. This victory was in the Grade I Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at the Santa Anita Park. Ridding under the “Hall of Fame” jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta finished the 1 1/8 miles
race in a time of 1 minute and 48.20 seconds.
At the much awaited Grade I Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, Zenyatta held off all her competitors to clinch her 16th consecutive victory. This 1 1/8 miles race was completed by her in a time of 1 minute and 50.71 seconds. She finished
4 ¼ lengths ahead of the runner up under the jockey Mike Smith.
Zenyatta’s 17th victory was the Grade I Vanity Invitational Handicap at her home track, Hollywood Park. The 1 1/8 miles race was completed by her in a time of 1 minute and 49.01 seconds.
Grade I Clement L. Hirsch has always been one of Zenyatta’s major wins in the years 2008 and 2009. She continued the tradition by winning this race once again under the jockey Mike Smith, in the 2010 racing season. She finished the 1 1/6 miles long race
in a time of 1 minute and 45.03 seconds.
On the 2nd of October 2010, Zenyatta surpassed the All-time North American record for Grade I victories by a female race horse after she won the Lady’s Secret Stakes for the third consecutive time. She ran under the jockey Mike Smith and managed
to finish the race in a time of 1 minute and 42.97 seconds. In the 1 1/16 miles race, Zenyatta was successful to hold back the winner of Hollywood Oaks, Switch by half a length. After this victory, the total career earnings of the talented mare were elevated
to a total of $ 6,404,580.
Breeders’ Cup Classic, is the last race of this season that Zenyatta will be contending on the 6th of November 2010 at the Churchill Downs. Her trainer John Sheriffs thinks that her victory or loss in this particular event should become a hurdle
in Zenyatta’s path to become the Horse of the Year 2010.
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