Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Zenyatta early 5-2 favorite; would be first mare to win

ARCADIA, Calif. -- Zenyatta was made the early 5-2 favorite Tuesday in a field of 13 for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, in which she'll put her 13-0 record on the line against the boys for the first time.

Zenyatta will break from the No.4 post in Saturday's 11/4-mile race at Santa Anita.

She had also been pre-entered in Friday's $2million Ladies' Classic, which she won last year.

But owners Jerry and Ann Moss, along with trainer John Shirreffs, had a bigger goal in mind for the 5-year-old mare.

"There's an opportunity to make history in the Classic, that's why we chose the Classic," Shirreffs said, referring to the fact that no female horse has won in the race's 25-year history.

With a victory, Zenyatta would better Personal Ensign's career mark of 13-0 set from 1986 to 88. That filly retired as the first undefeated champion in American racing in more than 80 years.

"I hope it gets more people interested," Jerry Moss said. "I hope it gets more people watching. I hope they get to appreciate Zenyatta for what she is - a great, unique, special equine athlete."

Missing from America's richest race is Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra, the 3-year-old filly who won all eight of her races this year, including three victories over male competition.

Her owner, Jess Jackson, shut her down for the year because he doesn't like Santa Anita's synthetic surface.

Zenyatta has won 11 races on synthetic surfaces, including three on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride. Her lone win on traditional dirt came at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

She will take on a loaded field that includes Ireland-bred Rip Van Winkle, the 7-2 early second choice, and Summer Bird, the 9-2 third choice who swept the Belmont, Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Mine That Bird, winless in four races since his stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby, was listed at 12-1, along with six other horses.

Trainer Chip Woolley Jr. shrugged off Mine That Bird's long shot status, saying, "He won the Derby at 50-1."

Trainer Bob Baffert, who will saddle Pacific Classic winner Richard's Kid, saluted the Mosses for giving Zenyatta a shot at the boys.

"That's pretty gutsy," he said. "That's what our sport needs. We need a big boost right now and she's going to be our boost. Rachel (Alexandra) carried us to a certain point and this mare is going to the rest of the way."