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ARCADIA, California: Zenyatta franked her stamp as one of the truly great racehorses in history here when she won the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Unbeaten in 13 starts prior to this race she came from out of the clouds to beat among others the heavily-fancied Irish raider Rip Van Winkle, who was prominent early on but faded in the finishing straight and finished 10th.
The five-year-old mare, trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by Mike Smith, seized the victory over Gio Ponti, with the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over third.
With her 14th victory in 14 starts, Zenyatta answered any remaining questions about her abilities. It was her first race against colts, and her first at 1 1/4 miles and she proved herself up to both challenges.
The start of the race - highlight of the two-day, 25.5 million-dollar Breeders' Cup extravaganza, was delayed for several minutes because of problems loading Quality Road into the starting gate.
Quality Road resisted going into his No. 12 stall, and while he was finally persuaded in he continued to buck and kick and eventually broke out through the front.
After a veterinarian looked him over, he was scratched.
Zenyatta herself was fractious going into the gate and broke last.
Smith, winning his 13th Breeders Cup race and second Classic, let her stay back early, then made his first move up the rail.
He then swept outside to allow the strong-finishing Zenyatta to continue her relentless run to the front and a victory over Gio Ponti by a length.
The crowd at Santa Anita Park, many with "Go Zenyatta, Girl Power" posters, were on their feet, and the ovation continued as Zenyatta trotted back to her familiar spot in the winner's circle.
"There are tears coming to my eyes," Shirreffs said. "I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She is all heart.
"The way the crowd took to her was just amazing," added Shirreffs. "They cheered her, they clapped for her, they love her. What a wonderful relationship."
Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was ninth.
Zenyatta's 14th victory may have been her last. Owners Jerry and Ann Moss have said she will go to the breeding shed next year.
- AFP/yb
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