Thursday, August 6, 2009

Zenyatta After 12th Straight in Hirsch Stakes

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Zenyatta After 12th Straight in Hirsch Stakes
Zenyatta winning the 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap.

She's beaten most of them before, but in spite of that, undefeated Zenyatta won't be lonely in the starting gate when she defends her title in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar on Aug. 9.

Ten older fillies and mares were entered in the 1 1/16-mile Polytrack event, with Jerry and Ann Moss' splendid 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry drawing the far outside post. Trained by John Shirreffs, Zenyatta will have regular rider Mike Smith aboard as she goes for her 12th successive victory while packing co-high weight of 123 pounds under the race's new allowance conditions. The Hirsch was previously a handicap race.

If all 10 go, it will be the largest field the 2008 Eclipse Award winner has faced since her maiden debut in a field of 12 on Nov. 22, 2007, at Hollywood Park. Zenyatta faced seven rivals when she won last year's Hirsch, unleashing her customary late charge for a one-length victory. It is her only prior start at Del Mar.

Zenyatta is making her first start since registering a 2 1/2-length victory in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park June 27 for her fifth grade I triumph. She be shortening up a little in distance from the 1 1/8-mile Vanity. Zenyatta, whose connections are hoping for a Horse of the Year title, comes into the race with lifetime earnings of $2,414,580.

With a win, Zenyatta would move to within one victory of the great Personal Ensign, who finished her career a perfect 13-for-13 with a dramatic come-from-behind triumph over 1988 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Winning Colors in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I). The Distaff, now known as the Ladies' Classic, was won by Zenyatta last year as she locked up divisional honors.
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