Zenyatta to Race...
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Unbeaten Zenyatta To Race in Aug./Nov.
BY HANK WESCH, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
In what has to be considered a mild upset, Zenyatta is expected to be back
at Del Mar this summer.
The next race for the unbeaten 6-year-old mare – after her attempt to top
the 16 consecutive victories mark she shares with Citation and Cigar in
Sunday’s Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park – figures to be the Clement
Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 7.
Trainer John Shirreffs indicated as much to the Daily Racing Form on
Wednesday, going contrary to the general thought that a trip east, to
Saratoga or Belmont Park in New York, was in the offing for the champion
who has produced 14 of her 16 wins at West Coast tracks.
“From a training standpoint, from what we’re trying to achieve, I think it’s
a great move,” Mike Smith, Zenyatta’s regular rider said Thursday by
phone.
“The final goal, the end of the road this year is (a title defense in) the
Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Breeders’ Cup isn’t in New York this year, it’s
at Churchill Downs (in Kentucky).
“So why ship all the way to New York in August or September when we
have great races here in California? We’re saving having to ship her two
different times and it seems the logical thing to do.”
Shirreffs, no fan of Del Mar’s Polytrack surface, told the Racing Form that
Zenyatta would remain at her regular Hollywood Park base and train only
briefly at Del Mar before the race.
Zenyatta won the $300,000, Grade I Hirsch, a 1 1/16-mile main track event,
in both 2008 and ’09. Last year’s was by a head, the narrowest margin of
victory in her career, accomplished in Zenyatta’s stirring come from behind
style over 22-1 shot Anabaa’s Creation.
Zenyatta joined Azeri (2002-03) and Bahia Key (1974-75) as two-time
winners of the Hirsch. A victory this summer would maker her the first
three-time winner.
The unexpected opportunity to have Zenyatta as a drawing card during the
meeting was greeted, naturally, with delight by Del Mar officials.
“We had planned to make the day of the Clement Hirsch a tribute to
Zenyatta anyway,” track spokesman Mac McBride said. “We were going to
show videos of all her races and give away sets of drinking glasses.”
BY HANK WESCH, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
In what has to be considered a mild upset, Zenyatta is expected to be back
at Del Mar this summer.
The next race for the unbeaten 6-year-old mare – after her attempt to top
the 16 consecutive victories mark she shares with Citation and Cigar in
Sunday’s Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park – figures to be the Clement
Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 7.
Trainer John Shirreffs indicated as much to the Daily Racing Form on
Wednesday, going contrary to the general thought that a trip east, to
Saratoga or Belmont Park in New York, was in the offing for the champion
who has produced 14 of her 16 wins at West Coast tracks.
“From a training standpoint, from what we’re trying to achieve, I think it’s
a great move,” Mike Smith, Zenyatta’s regular rider said Thursday by
phone.
“The final goal, the end of the road this year is (a title defense in) the
Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Breeders’ Cup isn’t in New York this year, it’s
at Churchill Downs (in Kentucky).
“So why ship all the way to New York in August or September when we
have great races here in California? We’re saving having to ship her two
different times and it seems the logical thing to do.”
Shirreffs, no fan of Del Mar’s Polytrack surface, told the Racing Form that
Zenyatta would remain at her regular Hollywood Park base and train only
briefly at Del Mar before the race.
Zenyatta won the $300,000, Grade I Hirsch, a 1 1/16-mile main track event,
in both 2008 and ’09. Last year’s was by a head, the narrowest margin of
victory in her career, accomplished in Zenyatta’s stirring come from behind
style over 22-1 shot Anabaa’s Creation.
Zenyatta joined Azeri (2002-03) and Bahia Key (1974-75) as two-time
winners of the Hirsch. A victory this summer would maker her the first
three-time winner.
The unexpected opportunity to have Zenyatta as a drawing card during the
meeting was greeted, naturally, with delight by Del Mar officials.
“We had planned to make the day of the Clement Hirsch a tribute to
Zenyatta anyway,” track spokesman Mac McBride said. “We were going to
show videos of all her races and give away sets of drinking glasses.”