Zenyatta on target for Apple Blossom

ZENYATTA WINNING BC CLASSIC

Benoit & Associates photo

by Mike Curry
The defection of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra from the “Race for the Ages” did not leave Oaklawn Park completely high and dry as unbeaten two-time champion Zenyatta will continue to prepare for the Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes (G1) on April 9.
The six-year-old Street Cry (Ire) mare extended her unbeaten record to 15 on Saturday with a visually impressive victory in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1). Trained by John Shirreffs, Zenyatta won by 1 1/4 lengths despite conceding from 11 to 16 pounds to seven challengers and traffic trouble in the stretch.
“We’re disappointed that we’re not going to be able to face each other in the Apple Blossom,” said Jerry Moss, co-owner of Zenyatta with his wife, Ann. “Hopefully, we can meet down the line. We respect both [trainer] Steve [Asmussen] and [majority owner] Jackson as horsemen, and they’re going to do what’s right for their horse. That’s all anybody could ask for.
“We’ll go on to the Apple Blossom as planned.”
Rachel Alexandra finished second in her first start in more than six months to the Shirreffs-trained Zardana (Brz) in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes. Asmussen and Jackson said on Sunday that Rachel Alexandra will not be ready for the Apple Blossom.
Zenyatta also made her season debut off a layoff of more than four months, but she dazzled with a sparkling return that will make her the overwhelming favorite for the Apple Blossom, a race she won in 2008 in her only previous start on a dirt track.
"I thought she'd come back and run like she did, but she actually ran better than I expected," regular rider Mike Smith said Sunday. "I thought she had plenty of chance [at the quarter pole]. I just didn't want to run over anybody."
Trapped in traffic in early stretch, Zenyatta looked like she might be in trouble. But after she found running room along the rail, Zenyatta closed with ground-devouring strides to take charge emphatically. Pacesetter Dance to My Heart finished second for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who continues to be amazed by Zenyatta.
"It's hard to beat a champion like her," Hollendorfer said. "Kind of everything went wrong for her, and she still won; so you've got to hand it to her, and she carried 127 [pounds]. Zenyatta's a true champion."

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor