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Arcadia Weekly Jan 20, 2010
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Retired Mare Fields International Offers, May Choose Santa Anita for First Race
Don’t believe what you’ve read in the papers; Zenyatta will indeed race again in 2010. The first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and a finalist for 2009 Horse of the Year, Zenyatta’s retirement had been announced following her dramatic last-to-first victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.
But Saturday at Santa Anita, Jerry Moss, who, with his wife Ann, owns the undefeated 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry, announced that the stretch-running mare, unbeaten in 14 career starts, will indeed return to run this year.
“We saw her gallop today [at Hollywood Park] and I talked to Ann, and then I talked to [Zenyatta’s trainer John Shirreffs], and she looks too good,” Moss said. “It’s what she likes to do and that’s what we decided to do, so we’re going to run her.”
Until Monday, Zenyatta had been battling with the brilliant 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra who, in the end, bested Zenyatta at the Eclipse Awards dinner in Beverly Hills for the Horse of the Year honor. Rachel Alexandra, who won this year’s highly prestigious Preakness Stakes, received 130 votes to 99 for Zenyatta. Rachel Alexandria is the first filly to win the celebrated award in seven years since Azeria took home the prize in 2002.
“It has nothing to do on whether she is Horse of the Year or not. If she’s Horse of the Year, she’ll run as Horse of the Year and if she’s not, she’ll run as not Horse of the Year,” said Moss when asked if the award ceremony would have any bearing on whether or not Zenyatta would return to the track.
Zenyatta has had three recorded half-mile workouts at Hollywood Park in Inglewood since her announced retirement.
When asked about a possible comeback race and when such an event might take place, Moss said simply, “We’re going to take our time”.
As for the issue of where Zenyatta might choose to make her return to racing, Moss was reluctant to comment.
“We’ll pick a spot,” he said.
According to reports in the U.K.’s Racing Post, connections to the publication have cited an early March event at Santa Anita as a possible comeback race. Trainer John Shirreffs told the Racing Post that the Santa Margarita handicap, to be held at Santa Anita on March 13 of this year was a possibility.
The rumor of a return to Santa Anita on that particular date has put a damper on efforts of Dubai officials to attract Zenyatta to participate in the Dubai World Cup on March 27 in the United Arab Emirates, a race which will be the first held in the newly constructed Meydan Racecourse.
Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
Brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Meydan Grandstand spans a length of 1.6km and is able to accommodate over 60,000 race-goers. True to grandiosity, Dubai-style the racecourse grounds boast facilities ranging from the world’s first five-star trackside hotel, a museum and gallery, an IMAX theatre to luxurious grandstand corporate suites.
Other overseas offers have also been pouring in for the champion including a strong courtship from the U.K.’s famous Ascot Racecourse. According to reports, Ascot public relations chair Nick Smith is planning a trip to California later this year in an effort to persuade Zenyatta’s owners to make the transcontinental trip. But Smith has been quick to say that the chances of Zenyatta visiting the nearly three century old track are slim. “Let’s be honest. It’s a long shot,” Smith told the Racing Post.
“It was very emotional when I retired her, because I thought she absolutely did as much as any horse could do in their career. But I love racing and also I believe [the sport] needs stars; and we’ve got one. She’s healthy and well and I think she’s going to carry on very well.”
Since Zenyatta became the first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, she has had no less than two retirement ceremonies, one at Hollywood Park on Nov. 29 and the other at Santa Anita on Dec. 26.
