Zenyatta: unbeaten after twelve starts
August 11th 2009 08:54
Zenyatta kept her unbeaten run intact with her first photo-finish victory in twelve career wins with a last stride arrival to claim the Grade (Group) One Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (1 1/16th mile) at Del Mar last Sunday.
(photo: Benoit & Associates)
The moderate early tempo - coupled with some complacency by jockey Mike Smith - saw Zenyatta arrive just in time for victory.
“I thought I had it. I certainly underestimated the competition today and a mile and a sixteenth is a little bit short for her. Maybe I was a little too focused on [Zenyatta’s Grade 1-winning stablemate] Life Is Sweet, but the horses that ran second and third, they ran a great race.”
“She didn’t really take off until she crossed the wire. Even before I passed them, she wasn’t giving me her all. She wasn’t even blowing when she came back.” - jockey Mike Smith as told to The Thoroughbred times.
And the clash with Rachel Alexandra seems no closer, although Jim McIngvale (owner of Gallery Furniture) has offered to put up a purse of $2 million for a match race between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra at Sam Houston Park - the date to be finalised if both parties can agree.
“Gallery Furniture would sponsor the race. The winner would receive $1.2 million. The other would get $800,00.” - Jim McIngvale, as reported at www.chron.com
It is just possible that Jess Jackson may relent and allow Rachel Alexandra to start in the Breeders’ Cup on the artificial track, just as he did with Curlin last year. But the dirt track of Sam Houston (plus the purse) is a compromise situation.
However, it may be the connections of Zenyatta who are reluctant to race under these conditions. Not so much the move from synthetic surface to dirt, but more so the match race scenario that would appear to advantage Rachel Alexandra.
Given Rachel Alexandra’s tactical speed and ability to dictate terms, she would appear to hold a significant advantage in a two horse race over Zenyatta, who only knows one way to race, sitting back and charging home late. The hustle and bustle of a regular race would appear to be the fairest for all parties.
Replay of the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes:
Zenyatta - just in time
(photo: Benoit & Associates)
The moderate early tempo - coupled with some complacency by jockey Mike Smith - saw Zenyatta arrive just in time for victory.
“I thought I had it. I certainly underestimated the competition today and a mile and a sixteenth is a little bit short for her. Maybe I was a little too focused on [Zenyatta’s Grade 1-winning stablemate] Life Is Sweet, but the horses that ran second and third, they ran a great race.”
“She didn’t really take off until she crossed the wire. Even before I passed them, she wasn’t giving me her all. She wasn’t even blowing when she came back.” - jockey Mike Smith as told to The Thoroughbred times.
And the clash with Rachel Alexandra seems no closer, although Jim McIngvale (owner of Gallery Furniture) has offered to put up a purse of $2 million for a match race between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra at Sam Houston Park - the date to be finalised if both parties can agree.
“Gallery Furniture would sponsor the race. The winner would receive $1.2 million. The other would get $800,00.” - Jim McIngvale, as reported at www.chron.com
It is just possible that Jess Jackson may relent and allow Rachel Alexandra to start in the Breeders’ Cup on the artificial track, just as he did with Curlin last year. But the dirt track of Sam Houston (plus the purse) is a compromise situation.
However, it may be the connections of Zenyatta who are reluctant to race under these conditions. Not so much the move from synthetic surface to dirt, but more so the match race scenario that would appear to advantage Rachel Alexandra.
Given Rachel Alexandra’s tactical speed and ability to dictate terms, she would appear to hold a significant advantage in a two horse race over Zenyatta, who only knows one way to race, sitting back and charging home late. The hustle and bustle of a regular race would appear to be the fairest for all parties.
Replay of the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes:
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