Zenyatta rules Breeders' Cup with breathtaking win
AFP Global Edition | 2009-11-08 03:10:18
<div><p>Zenyatta cemented her place in racing history with a stirring triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic, a victory that left the great mare unbeaten in 14 starts.</p><p>Her last-to-first triumph under jockey Mike Smith in the five million-dollar Classic - highlight of the two-day, 25.5 million-dollar Breeders' Cup extravanza - left the six victories of a strong European contingent in the shadows.</p><p>"She's sent from God," Smith said. "I think he wanted a horse and made her and brought her down here to race against everyone."</p><p>Zenyatta, who surpassed Personal Ensign's US record of 13 straight victories for a filly or mare, proved herself against colts for the first time. Her 14th and likely last triumph was a gritty one, as she overcame a poor start to roar past a talent-packed field.</p><p>She seized the victory from Gio Ponti in the final furlong. Twice Over, saddled by legendary British trainer Henry Cecil was third with Tom Queally in the irons.</p><p>Zenyatta's beaten foes could only shake their heads and tip their hats.</p><p>"The horse ran a great race," trainer Christophe Clement said of his Gio Ponti. "But he couldn't beat the winner. She's a freak. What can I say? She's a freak."</p><p>Queally, who piloted Cecils' Midday to victory in the Filly and Mare Turf on Friday, said there was little more that could have been done to foil Zenyatta.</p><p>"We ran a cracker," he said. "My horse probably didn't handle the home turn too cute, but I don't think we would have beaten Zenyatta in a million years. She's an exceptional, exceptional filly."</p><p>Bob Baffert, trainer of sixth-placed Richard's Kid said seeing Zenyatta's win was a thrill.</p><p> "It was the only time in horse racing that I didn't mind getting beat in a big race," Baffert said. "Zenyatta made the Breeders' Cup. And the way she won! I've never seen a crowd so captivated. It felt like a horse winning the third leg of the Triple Crown."</p><p>Added Saeed Bin Suroor, who saddled eighth-placed Regal Ransom and 12th-placed Girolamo for Godolphin in the Classic: "She's a different class. By far. By millions."</p><p>European standout Rip Van Winkle, trained by Aidan O'Brien, faded from third to finish 10th.</p><p>O'Brien saddled just one winner over the two days, Man of Iron in the Marathon.</p><p>But overall European invaders took the spoils in six races.</p><p>Among them was another outstanding filly, Goldikova, who emulated the great Miesque in earning back-to-back Mile crowns.</p><p>Goldikova, too, showed her heart as she ran down Courgeous Cat in the final yards to win by half a length.</p><p>Goldikova is trained by Freddy Head, who rode Miesque to consecutive victories in the same race in 1987-88.</p><p>"I don't have the words to say what I feel," Head said, "Having ridden a horse like Miesque and now to train a horse like her, it's something you can't dream of."</p><p>Head admitted he found his current role more difficult.</p><p>"I think I was more nervous before this race than when I used to ride Miesque," he said.</p><p>Conduit, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, won the 1 1/2-mile Turf for the second successive year.</p><p>Presious Passion set a blistering early pace in the Turf, but Conduit, under Ryan Moore, chased him down in the final straight for a half-length victory.</p><p>Dar Re Mi, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, finished third, while Conduit stablemate Spanish Moon was fourth.</p><p>Gosden and Dettori had already notched a victory with Pounced in the Juvenile Turf, while in the Juvenile Godolphin's British operation posted their first Breeders' Cup victory since 2001 with Vale Of York's stunning win.</p><p>Vale Of York went into the race with just two victories and was a 30-1 longshot under jockey Ahmed Ajtebi.</p><p>Saturday's other three races went to US geldings.</p><p>Local speedster California Flag won the Turf Sprint, Dancing in Silks won the Sprint and Furthest Land landed the Dirt Mile.</p><p>Furthest Land, a 35,000-dollar claimer, was ridden by Julien Leparoux, who notched three Breeders' Cup victories this year including wins on Friday in the Juvenile Fillies and Filly and Mare Sprint.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=62917691&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
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