Thursday Zenyatta's Notes

Today's Zenyatta notes (courtesy Breeders' Cup)

The undefeated Zenyatta, looking to win a historic 20th straight race with a repeat in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 6, is getting more and more aggressive in her training each day, indicating to her connections that she’s ready for her toughest test yet. On Thursday, it took all of exercise rider Steve Willard’s strength to contain her during her 1 ½ mile gallop over the main Hollywood Park track.

“She’s pretty solid,” said trainer John Shirreffs, as he watched her gallop.

“She’s pretty aggressive today,” added Willard as he dismounted. “She’s really wanting to do some more. She’s ready for a work.

Jerry and Ann Moss’ two-time champion will continue to gallop one more day, Friday, and her final timed workout will be Saturday, October 30. She is scheduled to leave California for Kentucky on Tuesday, November 2.

Breeders' Cup Race Order

Here is the final race order  for both days of the Breeders' Cup. There were two changes from the initial schedule released in September. On Friday, the F&M Turf and Juvenile Fillies switched places and the Dirt Mile and Sprint swapped positions on Saturday.

Friday, November 5 – ALL TIMES EASTERN

1.          Allowance           2:00 pm                     

2.          Allowance           2:30 pm                                 

3.         Stakes                3:00 pm         

4.         Stakes                3:30 pm                                   

5.  $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (gr. III)     -   4:10 p.m.

6.  $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. II) - 4:50 p.m.    

7.  $1 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) – 5:30 p.m.

8.  $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) – 6:10 p.m.

9.  $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. I) – 6:50 p.m.

10. $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (gr. I) -7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 6 – ALL TIMES EASTERN

 1.   Allowance               12:05 pm         

 2.  Stakes                    12:35 pm                                 

 3.  Stakes                      1:15 pm                                 

  4. $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. II) -1:50 p.m.

  5. $2 million Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) - 2:30 p.m.

  6. $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II) -3:15 p.m.

  7. $2 million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) - 3:55 p.m.

  8. $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I) - 4:40 p.m.

  9. $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) -5:20 p.m.

 10. $3 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. I) – 6:00 p.m.

 11. $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) - 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday's Zenyatta Report

Here's today's Zenyatta report from Southern California (courtesy Breeders' Cup)....

Two-time champion Zenyatta, preparing to defend her Breeders’ Cup Classic title and perfect 19-0 record, didn’t make life easy on regular exercise rider Steve Willard on Tuesday morning as he had to use all his strength to pull her up after a 1 ½-mile gallop over the Hollywood Park main track.

“That was a good gallop,” said trainer John Shirreffs. “No concerns at this point. Although, I do want to get her on the (dirt) training track again this week and off the synthetics.”

“She did great,” added Willard. “Just terrific. She didn’t want to pull up and said, ‘hey, let’s do some more.’”

Jerry and Ann Moss’ Zenyatta will continue to gallop the remainder of the week and her final timed workout will be Saturday, October 30. She is scheduled to leave California for Kentucky on Tuesday, November 2. 

Monday's Zenyatta Report

Here's Monday's Zenaytta report (courtesy Breeders' Cup)....

ZENYATTA GALLOPS ONE MILE ON MONDAY

Two-time champion Zenyatta, preparing to defend her Breeders’ Cup Classic title and perfect 19-0 record, went to the main Hollywood Park track on Monday and jogged a half-mile before galloping a full mile under regular exercise rider Steve Willard. Normally, she would have gone to the training track, but overnight rain left the dirt track too wet. The main racetrack surface is Cushion Track.

“That’s the good thing about synthetic,” said Willard. “We haven’t had to stop at all. She’s doing really, really good. She’s in a terrific place mentally.”

Jerry and Ann Moss’ Zenyatta will continue to gallop the remainder of the week and her final timed workout will be Saturday, October 30. She is scheduled to leave California for Kentucky on Tuesday, November 2.

Sunday's Zenyatta Report

A quiet day for Zenyatta but here's the report (courtesy Breeders' Cup)...

Two-time champion Zenyatta showed no signs of being tired from Friday’s workout and, in fact, was quite a handful for exercise rider Steve Willard on Sunday morning. To ensure that she didn’t do too much, trainer John Shirreffs sent Willard and Zenyatta to the Hollywood Park training track with pony Winston and his rider, Fred Wilson, to jog one mile. It was her first trip to the track since Friday.

“On the first day back to the track, I just look to see that the rider stays on,” said Shirreffs. “She looks really good right now.”

Zenyatta’s final workout before she leaves California to defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be Saturday, October 30. The Street Cry (IRE) mare will leave California on a Tex Sutton chartered flight on Tuesday, November 2. 

Friday's Zenyatta Workout

Here is a report on Zenyatta's workout this morning courtesy of the Breeders' Cup...

WORKS SEVEN FURLONGS

Two-time champion Zenyatta, by design, was put through a major exercise on Friday, working seven furlongs in 1:27 1/5 over the Hollywood Park main track under regular jockey Mike Smith. The splits for the workout were :38 4/5, :50 4/5, 1:03 1/5 and 1:15 1/5. She completed the final quarter-mile in :24.

The work was the second of three workouts scheduled before Zenyatta departs for Kentucky on November 2 to defend her title in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6. Breaking into the work at the three-quarter pole, the undefeated mare worked in company with stablemates Sorbonne, with Isabelle Bourez up, and El Vino, with Steve Willard up. She easily passed Sorbonne rounding the turn for home and then finished almost on even terms with El Vino.

“The objective today was to not have her pass anyone,” said trainer John Shirreffs. “We wanted to keep her focused throughout the entire work because she tends to slack off when she gets by another horse. We wanted her to have a fresh horse with her the whole time. It went pretty much as we had planned.”

“I got a great response from her,” said Smith, who noted that the track was a little heavy due to the rain the last few days. “She was a little aggressive leaving there, which is good because it shows that she wants to do more. The goal was to keep her focused and she did that. She caught the first horse (Sorbonne) pretty easily and then took a breather around the turn. I asked her to focus again and go after Steve’s horse (El Vino) and that horse was really focused. She got to him pretty nicely. We wanted 1:27 and we got 1:27 1/5. One second off seems pretty good to me.”

Zenyatta’s next workout out will be Saturday, October 30. She will leave California on a Tex Sutton chartered flight on Tuesday, November 2.

Prospective Breeders' Cup Fields

Thanks for our friends at Churchill Downs, here's a list of horses that can potentially run in each of the Breeders' Cup Championship races.

CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY

MARATHON

A.U. Miner (trained by Clark Hanna), Alcomo-BRZ (Eduardo Caramori), Atoned (Neil Howard), Bright Horizon-GB (Aidan O’Brien), Eldaafer (Diane Alvarado), Falling Knife (Tom Amoss), Precision Break (Paul Cole), Tastahil-IRE (Barry Hills) and Temple City (Carla Gaines). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Marathon some consideration: Dansant-GB, Gabriel’s Hill, Giant Oak (Clark Handicap), Prince Will I Am (Turf), Wade Giles-IRE, Where’s the Remote (Hollywood Turf Cup) and Whispering Gallery-GB.

JUVENILE FILLIES TURF

Arch Support (trained by Gary Contessa), Forest Legend (Victoria Oliver), Kathmanblu (Ken McPeek), More Than Real (Todd Pletcher), New Normal (Mark Frostad), Quiet Oasis-IRE (Brian Meehan), Tale Untold (Richard Hannon), Together-IRE (Aidan O’Brien), Winter Memories (Jim Toner) and Wyomia (Juvenile Fillies). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Fillies Turf some consideration: Cloneylass-IRE, Fancy Point, Harlan’s Ruby, Hooray-GB, Jazzy Jessy, Jordy Y (Juvenile Fillies), Singapore Lilly-IRE, Street Chimes, Theyskens’ Theory (Juvenile Fillies) and Tiger Girl.

FILLY & MARE SPRINT

Champagne d’Oro (trained by Eric Guillot), Dubai Majesty (Bret Calhoun), Evening Jewel (Jim Cassidy), First Passage (Marty Wolfson), Informed Decision (Jonathan Sheppard), Jessica Is Back (Marty Wolfson), Moontune Missy (Eoin Harty), My Jen (Eddie Kenneally), Qualia (Robert Ribaudo), Rightly So (Tony Dutrow), Rinterval-IRE (Eric Reed), Sara Louise (Saeed bin Suroor), Secret Gypsy (Ronny Werner), Sweet August Moon (Brian Koriner), Switch (John Sadler) and Tidal Pool (D. Wayne Lukas). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Filly & Mare Sprint some consideration: Gabby’s Golden Gal, Nicole H and Rapport.

FILLY & MARE TURF

Changing Skies-IRE (trained by Bill Mott), Eclair de Lune-GER (Ron McAnally), Forever Together (Jonathan Sheppard), Harmonious (John Shirreffs), Hibaayeb-GB (Saeed bin Suroor), Midday-GB (Henry Cecil), Plumania-GB (Andre Fabre) and Red Desire-JPN (Mikio Matsunaga). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Filly & Mare Turf some consideration: Ave-GB, Hot Cha Cha, Keertana, Miss Keller-IRE, Shared Account and Turning Top-IRE.

JUVENILE FILLIES

A Z Warrior (trained by Bob Baffert), Awesome Feather (Stan Gold), Delightful Mary (Mark Casse), Harlan’s Ruby (Ken McPeek), Izshelegal (Terry Knight), Jordy Y (Wayne Catalano), Joyful Victory (Tony Dutrow), R Heat Lightning (Todd Pletcher), Soundwave (Ronny Werner) and Tell a Kelly (John Sadler). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Fillies some consideration: Honey Chile (Pocahontas), Indian Gracey, Tale Untold (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Theyskens’ Theory, Together-IRE (Juvenile Fillies Turf) and Wyomia (Juvenile Fillies Turf).

LADIES’ CLASSIC

Acoma (trained by David Carroll), Acting Happy (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Blind Luck (Jerry Hollendorfer), Funny Moon (Christophe Clement), Havre de Grace (Tony Dutrow), Life At Ten (Todd Pletcher), Malibu Prayer (Todd Pletcher), Persistently (“Shug” McGaughey), Seeking the Title (Dallas Stewart) and Unrivaled Belle (Bill Mott). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Ladies’ Distaff some consideration: Always a Princess, Evening Jewel (F&M Sprint), Milwaukee Appeal, Third Dawn (Chilukki) and Zardana-BRZ.

CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY

JUVENILE TURF

Air Support (trained by “Shug” McGaughey), Banned (Tom Proctor), Cozy Kitten (Wesley Ward), Klammer-GB (Jane Chapple-Hyam), Pluck (Todd Pletcher), Soldat (Kiaran McLaughlin) and Typhoon Slew (Mike Maker). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile Turf some consideration: Biondetti, Deciphering Dreams, J.B.’s Thunder (Juvenile), Major Gain, Mantoba-GB, Powhatan County, Rerouted, Rockin Heat, Rogue Romance (Juvenile), Rough Sailing, Titus Mills-IRE, Treasure Beach-GB, Utley and Willcox Inn.

DIRT MILE

A Little Warm (trained by Tony Dutrow), Aikenite (Todd Pletcher), Awesome Gem (Craig Dollase), Crown of Thorns (Richard Mandella), Dakota Phone (Jerry Hollendorfer), Gayego (Saeed bin Suroor), Here Comes Ben (Charlie Lopresti), Hurricane Ike (John Sadler), Mine That Bird (D. Wayne Lukas), Thiskyhasnolimit (Steve Asmussen), Tizway (Jim Bond), Twirling Candy (John Sadler) and Vineyard Haven (Saeed bin Suroor). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Dirt Mile some consideration: Bribon-FR (Sprint), Duke of Mischief, Jeranimo, Mad Flatter, Morning Line (Classic), Redding Colliery (Clark Handicap) and Warrior’s Reward (Sprint).

TURF SPRINT

Awakino Cat (Linda Rice), California Flag (Brian Koriner), Central City (Ronny Werner), Chamberlain Bridge (Bret Calhoun), Due Date (Steve Margolis), Elusive Gift (Richard Vega), Fatal Bullet (Reade Baker), Grand Adventure (Mark Frostad), Little Nick (Anthony Quartarolo), Quick Enough (Doug O’Neill), Rose Catherine (Todd Pletcher), Silver Timber (Chad Brown), Stradivinsky (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Tropic Storm (Craig Dollase) and Unzip Me (Marty Jones). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Turf Sprint some consideration: A Unique Treasure, Bridgetown, Gilt Edge Girl (Sprint), Ravalo, Scenic Blast-AUS and West Ocean.

JUVENILE

Boys At Tosconova (Rick Dutrow Jr.), J P’s Gusto (David Hofmans), Jaycito (Mike Mitchell), Stay Thirsty (Todd Pletcher) and Uncle Mo (Todd Pletcher). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Juvenile some consideration: Astrology, Blue Laser (Delta Jackpot), Caleb’s Posse, Factum, J.B.’s Thunder (Delta Jackpot), Madman Diaries (Delta Jackpot), Major Gain (Juvenile Turf), Mountain Town, Murjan, Riveting Reason, Rockin Heat, and Rogue Romance (Juvenile Turf).

MILE

Courageous Cat (Bill Mott), Court Vision (Rick Dutrow Jr.), Delegator-GB (Saeed bin Suroor), Get Stormy (Tom Bush), Goldikova-IRE (Freddie Head), Paco Boy-IRE (Richard Hannon), Proviso-GB (Bill Mott) and Sidney’s Candy (John Sadler). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Mile some consideration: Beethoven-IRE, Enriched, Gio Ponti (Classic), Grand Rapport, Society’s Chairman, Starspangledbanner-AUS, Victor’s Cry and Yankee Fourtune (Commonwealth Turf).

SPRINT

Atta Boy Roy (trained by Valorie Lund), Big Drama (David Fawkes), Cash Refund (Steve Margolis), Cost of Freedom (John Sadler), Dancing in Silks (Carla Gaines), E Z’s Gentleman (Bob Baffert), Girolamo (Saeed bin Suroor), Hamazing Destiny (D. Wayne Lukas), Kinsale King (Carl O’Callaghan), Riley Tucker (Steve Asmussen), Smiling Tiger (Jeff Bonde), Supreme Summit (Mike Puype), Warrior’s Reward (Ian Wilkes) and Wise Dan (Charlie Lopresti). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Sprint some consideration: Bank Merger, Bribon-FR (Dirt Mile), Gilt Edge Girl (Turf Sprint), Hollywood Hit, Latigo Shore, Rule by Night, and Wildcat Brief.

TURF

Al Khali (trained by Bill Mott), Behkabad-FR (Jean-Claude Rouget), Champ Pegasus (Richard Mandella), Debussy-IRE (John Gosden) and Winchester (Christophe Clement). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Turf some consideration: Dangerous Midge, Gitano Hernando-GB (Classic), Joshua Tree-IRE, Paddy O’Prado (Classic/Japan Cup), Plumania-GB (Filly & Mare Turf), Prince Will I Am (Marathon), Redwood-GB, Tazeez, Telling and Workforce-GB.

CLASSIC

Blame (trained by Al Stall Jr.), Espoir City-JPN (Akio Adachi), Etched (Kiaran McLaughlin), First Dude (Dale Romans), Fly Down (Nick Zito), Haynesfield (Steve Asmussen), Lookin At Lucky (Bob Baffert), Morning Line (Nick Zito), Musket Man (Derek Ryan), Quality Road (Todd Pletcher) and Zenyatta (John Shirreffs). Known horses whose connections may be giving the Classic some consideration: Crown of Thorns (Dirt Mile), Gio Ponti (Mile), Gitano Hernando-GB (Turf) and Paddy O’Prado (Turf). 

Shirreffs on Zenyatta - Oct. 15

From the Keeneland Press Release....

LEXINGTON, KY (October 15, 2010) – John Shirreffs, trainer of the undefeated Zenyatta, met with the media Friday morning at Keeneland to discuss the 6-year-old mare’s preparations for her defense of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) she won last year Santa Anita.

A perfect 19-for-19 in her career, Zenyatta worked five furlongs in 1:02.60 on Thursday at Hollywood Park and is scheduled to have two more works there before flying to Louisville, Ky., for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic to be run November 6 at Churchill Downs. Shirreffs is in Lexington to saddle Harmonious in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland.

“It was her first work back (since winning the Grade 1 Lady’s Secret on October 2), an easy five-eighths,” Shirreffs said about Zenyatta’s Thursday work. “It was a starting point to get into a routine. Her next two works will be longer and faster.”

Other topics addressed by Shirreffs included the following:

How does the Zenyatta of 2010 compare with the Zenyatta of 2009 coming into the Breeders’ Cup?

“I think she is as good or better than she was last year. She has been at the racetrack in training since she was a 2-year-old, so her fitness is good. The main thing you have to do is keep her mentally happy and wanting to do it.”

What is it that has allowed her to basically not miss a beat during her career and manage to win every time?

“I wish I knew. She is very special and has the real ability to lengthen her stride at the end of races. Sometimes people will say a horse will quicken at the end of a race and run a little harder. You just watch when she drops her head and starts to lengthen her stride. You seldom see that in horses. … Some horses can do that for a quarter mile and stakes horses can for three-eighths, but I have seen her do some amazing things and extended her stride for a half-mile.”

Zenyatta has cut it close in many of her races. Were there any races where you thought that maybe this was going to be the day she did not get there?

“Several. But one in particular was the (2008) Vanity (G1) when (trainer Bob) Baffert had a top filly in there (Tough Tiz’s Sis). She had to start her run at the half or 4 ½ to get the speed and it was the longest extended drive I have ever seen a horse make.”

What would your thoughts be should Zenyatta lose in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and not be named Horse of the Year?

“It would be almost too much. It would be a real slap in the face. I think she deserves it on what she has done on the track and as for the industry as a whole.”

What is your favorite Zenyatta moment?

“There are so many special times. I think it was when she walked into the paddock at Del Mar last year and the crowd was so amazing. People were yelling ‘Go Zenyatta! Go Zenyatta!’ and the paddock there is a lot like Churchill Downs and then the tunnel leading to the track. She didn’t flinch. I was really proud of her.”

What do you think your emotions will be when you saddle her for the last time?

“I don’t want to think about it. Walking to the paddock with Zenyatta is such an incredible experience. You just can’t believe it. You feel like everybody loves your horse and loves you. Churchill Downs is always an emotional place. When you go through that tunnel everybody is just yelling and screaming and the energy is going everywhere.”

Should Zenyatta’s undefeated streak end in the Classic, do you think it will tarnish her legacy?

 “It would not be the end of the world. She has an opportunity to achieve something (going 20-for-20) unattainable. … As far as I am concerned, she is just one of the best ever. When she is done, she is going to go off to the pasture and whether she is 19-for-20 or 20-for-20, I think she will be OK.”

Speed Figures - Saturday

After one of the last big days of Breeders' Cup Prep Races, here are some of key Beyer Speed Figures from the major stakes courtesy of Daily Racing Form. This time, I've included the horses previous figure for comparison.

BELMONT PARK

Jamaica
Prince Will I Am  90 (86)
Citrus Kid            87 (72)
Beau Choix         86 (94)

Frizette
A Z Warrior         81 (66)
R Heat Lightning   78 (76)
Joyful Victory       71 (77)

Champagne
Uncle Mo            94 (102)
Mountain Town   85 (61)
I'm Steppin Up    66 (61)

KEENELAND

Woodford
Silver Timber      99 (89)
Central City        98 (81)
Due Date            97 (90)

TCA
Dubai Majesty      91 (90)
Old Time Religion 89 (78)
Informed Decision 88 (90)

First Lady
Proviso                 102 (97)
C.S. Silk               101 (82)
Gotta Have Her     101 (86)

Breeders' Futurity
J.B.'s Thunder       84 (72)
Santiva                  77 (68)
Wilcox Inn            77 (73)

Shadwell Turf Mile
Gio Ponti              99 (100)
Society's Chairman 97 (84)
Courageous Cat    94 (103)

OAK TREE - HOLLYWOOD

Oak Tree Mile
Liberian Freighter 102 (96)
Colgan's Chip       102 (100)
Tropic Storm        97 (100)

Ancient Title
Smiling Title          103 (96)
Supreme Summit  102 (92)
EZ's Gentleman    100 (90)