Horse Racing Capsules: Zenyatta wins 14th in a row in BC Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. — Zenyatta pawed the ground with her right front hoof and pranced past an adoring crowd jamming the grandstand as she made her way to the start of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

By the time the race ended, this showgirl would leave no doubt she’s as gutsy as the guys.

Zenyatta came from last after a poor start and fought off Gio Ponti in the stretch to win the $5 million Classic on Saturday, beating a loaded field of 11 males and becoming the first female to win the race in its 26-year history.

The 5-year-old mare ran her record to 14-0 in the most impressive effort of her career.

"She’s sent from heaven," said Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who lovingly patted Zenyatta’s mane on the way to the gate. "She’s incredible. I still didn’t hit all gears."

Her presence at Santa Anita gave a big boost to the signature race of the two-day world championships, which was missing the season’s other star female, Rachel Alexandra.

Now the argument is on: Who is the best in horse racing’s year of the girl?

"If they don’t reward her with Horse of the Year, it would be a travesty, or at least co-Horses of the Year," said Bob Baffert, who trained sixth-place finisher Richard’s Kid. "It was the only time in horse racing that I didn’t mind getting beat in a big race. Zenyatta made the Breeders’ Cup, and the way she won! I’ve never seen a crowd so captivated."

Voters will decide who wins Horse of the Year in January at the Eclipse Awards.

The race was delayed several minutes because Quality Road acted up at the starting gate and was scratched after scraping his hind leg. Zenyatta had problems, too, turning sideways instead of entering head first.

All the commotion may have explained her poor start, breaking on the wrong foot and dropping well behind the field. Still, Smith kept his cool and let Zenyatta lope along near the back — her usual running style in the early going.

"At the half-mile pole, I thought, ‘Oh God, they’re stacked up. There’s no way I’m going to get around all these horses,"’ Smith said.

Rounding the final turn, Zenyatta still had a lot of ground to make up on the leaders and her chances appeared bleak. Race announcer Trevor Denman shouted during his call, "If she wins this, she’ll be a super horse!"

Zenyatta then made a bold inside move midway through the far turn, and Smith angled her to the far outside as the crowd of 58,845 fans erupted in cheers. Showing the grit of an undefeated champion, Zenyatta closed relentlessly and denied Gio Ponti the upset.

Smith pumped his left arm as Zenyatta galloped past the grandstand for possibly the final time in her sterling career.

She ran 1¼ miles in 2:00.62 and paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 favorite. Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while Britain-bred Twice Over paid $7 to show.

"The horse ran a great race, but he couldn’t beat the winner," said Christophe Clement, who trains Gio Ponti. "She’s a freak. What can I say?"

More than $1 million was bet to win on both Zenyatta and 3-1 second choice Rip Van Winkle, an Irish import who finished 10th. Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird ninth, extending his losing streak to five straight since his 50-1 upset on the first Saturday in May.

Colonel John was fifth, followed by Richard’s Kid, Awesome Gem, Regal Ransom, Mine That Bird, Rip Van Winkle, Einstein and Girolamo.

Debate had raged in the week leading up to the Classic about whether Zenyatta could handle an international field of males and possibly snatch away Horse of the Year honors from Rachel Alexandra. The argument only intensifies after her explosive performance.

Rachel Alexandra, a 3-year-old filly, went 8 for 8 this year and won three times against the boys, including her stirring victory in the Preakness Stakes. But her owner, Jess Jackson, shut her down for the season rather than run her on the synthetic surface, which he dislikes.

Smith endorsed Zenyatta for the top honor, last won by a female in 2002 with Azeri, who also was ridden by Smith.

"She’s horse of the decade by far," he said of Zenyatta. "She should go down as one of the greatest horses of all time."

Zenyatta was clearly the star of this show, high-stepping like a Radio City Rockette. Fans held up pink signs that read "Girl power! Go Zenyatta," and roared when the hometown hero came through the tunnel and stepped onto the synthetic track.

"It’s just wonderful to have so many fans and that so many enjoy her, and that she’s so feminine, too," said Ann Moss, wife of co-owner Jerry Moss. "She’s just dancing and strutting and enjoying her majestic, beautiful self, and that’s a gift."

The Mosses said Zenyatta, named after the 1980 album "Zenyatta Mondata" by The Police, likely will go to the breeding shed next year.

"I think she deserves to go out now with her record intact," said Jerry Moss, who co-founded A&M Records. "She’s a lot more generous than a lot of stars are, let me put it that way. She gives you back an awful lot."

The Mosses decided to enter Zenyatta in the Classic instead of trying to defend her title in the $2 million Ladies’ Classic on Friday.

"We thought that she deserved this chance," Jerry Moss said.

American horses earned eight victories over the two-day championships, with Europe-based horses winning six, one better than last year’s total.

Irish import Goldikova successfully defended her title in the $2 million Mile against 10 male rivals. Another Irish horse, Conduit, repeated in the $3 million Turf, and Pounced won the $1 million Juvenile Turf.

Three geldings won races — California Flag in the $1 million Turf Sprint; Dancing in Silks in the $2 million Sprint; and Furthest Land in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

Vale of York, part of Godolphin Racing’s European division, won the $2 million Juvenile.

-- Beth Harris

Notebook: Gio Ponti comes off turf for Breeders’ Cup Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. — Like Zenyatta, Gio Ponti was out of his element in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday.

Zenyatta, facing the boys for the first time in her career, became the first female to win the richest race in North America. Gio Ponti, a dominant force on turf this year, finished second in a solid transition from grass to the synthetic surface at Santa Anita.

Trainer Christophe Clement and Castleton Lyons Farms debated running Gio Ponti in the $3 million Turf. They went for the greater glory and more money, nearly pulling it off at 12-1 odds.

"This proved it was the right decision to run in the Classic and not the Turf," Clement said. "I hope to try it again next year."

Gio Ponti won four Grade 1 turf stakes this year. The divisional championship will probably come down to Gio Ponti and Conduit, the repeat winner in the Turf.

Like Zenyatta, Gio Ponti rallied from far back in the Classic. Ninth for most of the race, he charged home to grab a narrow lead in the stretch. Only a breathtaking rally by Zenyatta denied the 4-year-old the victory.

"He split horses like a champion," jockey Ramon Dominguez said. "He just took off when he got clear. That’s an extremely nice filly and I’m so pleased and happy with the way my horse ran."

FLYING DETTORI

Frankie Dettori’s traditional flying dismount wasn’t very smooth as he needed to put two hands on the ground to cushion his landing following the victory by Pounced in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Dettori recovered quickly, bouncing right up to plant a kiss on a nearby television camera. It was the flamboyant Frankie being Frankie, following his ninth Breeders’ Cup victory.

Born in Italy and now based in England, Dettori delivered a world-class ride. Saving all possible ground, Dettori kept Pounced along the fence until midstretch. When an opening developed, he urged his colt on to a three-quarter length victory.

"I had a box seat, very pleased that we got the split between horses," he said. "He fought really hard for me. The gap was big enough for me to go through and my horse was very brave."

HEAD’S UP

Freddy Head became the first horseman to ride and train consecutive Breeders’ Cup winners.

As a jockey, Head scored with Miesque in 1987 and 1988. On Saturday, Goldikova prevailed for the second straight year over the Santa Anita course.

All four victories came in the $2 million Mile on the turf. In each instance, a filly beat the boys.

Head, 62, was the leading rider in France six times during a 34-year career. He hung up his whip and goggles in 1997 to launch a new career as a trainer.

It took almost 10 years before Head conditioned a Group 1 winner. Goldikova, a winner of 10 of 15 races against world-class runners, put Head back on top.

"I don’t have the words to say what I feel," he said. "Having ridden a horse like Miesque and now training a horse like Goldikova, it’s something you can’t dream of."

Head said it’s less nerve-racking to be in the saddle.

"I think I was more nervous before this race than when I used to ride Miesque," he said.

HOPPER IN THE HOUSE

Prostate cancer couldn’t keep Dennis Hopper away from the Breeders’ Cup.

He decided to come out to support of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, the event’s official charity. It was revealed last month that the 73-year-old actor and artist had been diagnosed with cancer, although Hopper said Saturday he’s been battling it for nine years. He’s started a new, experimental treatment at the University of Southern California he hopes will help.

"It has great promise," Hopper said. "Everything’s good right now."

Hopper is one of racing’s biggest and best-known fans. He’s been to five Breeders’ Cups, including last year when he said he cashed a $17,000 trifecta ticket in the Classic.

He’s disappointed horse racing has lost some of its luster among the public but believes the sport carries its own alluring style and swagger.

"It would be a drag to see the industry come down," Hopper said. "It’s such a great tradition. I hope it gets well and goes on forever."

The "Easy Rider" star recently finished shooting the second season of "Crash," a TV version of the Oscar-winning 2004 film. Hopper also has several film projects in the works.

Other celebrities at Santa Anita included Dodgers manager Joe Torre, actress Elizabeth Banks, golf great Gary Player, actor-singer Joey Fatone, real-life couple Jerry Ferrara and Jamie-Lynn Sigler of "Entourage," actors Joe Mantegna, Joe Pesci and Jerry O’Connell and football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung. Boyz II Men performed "God Bless America" in between races.

-- Mike Farrell

Vale of York stuns at 30-1 in BC Juvenile

ARCADIA, Calif. — The Kentucky Derby has been an elusive gem for the deep pockets of Godolphin Racing. Vale of York may change that misfortune.

The 2-year-old colt stormed home for a frantic finish, edging betting favorite Lookin at Lucky by a head to win the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and stamping himself as an early favorite for the first Saturday in May.

Only Street Sense has pulled off the Juvenile-Derby double since the Breeders’ Cup began in 1984, but that’s not going to dissuade Vale of York’s connections from showing up the first at Churchill Downs.

"Every time he’s come for a race he’s handled everything really well," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "He’s a tough horse, and next year we’ll bring him for the Kentucky Derby."

Ridden by 27-year-old Ahmed Ajtebi, Vale of York went off at 30-1 odds and paid $63.20 to win. It was the third victory in six tries for Vale of York, and the first Breeders’ Cup victory for Ajtebi, who won more than 200 camel races before switching to thoroughbreds.

"Today it all went well," Ajtebi said. "When I shifted him out, he just went and he was strong enough at the finish to get it done."

Trainer Bob Baffert was denied a repeat win in the Juvenile with Lookin at Lucky, who ran a game second. Baffert won last year’s race with Midshipman, also owned by Godolphin.

Lookin at Lucky, the 2-1 favorite, drew the unlucky No. 13 post on the far outside, and jockey Garrett Gomez said the colt got banged around going into the first turn.

"It’s just frustrating to know you have the best horse and to come up short like that," Baffert said. "At least you know that you can look forward to the Derby."

Godolphin, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has never struck Derby gold. Both Godolphin and Ajtebi are based in the Middle East. Sheikh Mohammed remained in Dubai to watch the race.

The barn sent out two contenders in the Derby last year — Regal Ransom and Desert Party, who finished eighth and 14th, respectively. Regal Ransom ran eighth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, while Midshipman finished third in the $1 million Dirt Mile.

One of Godolphin’s most highly touted Derby prospects, Worldly Manner, finished seventh in the 1999 Derby. But when it comes to winning the Run for the Roses, anything can happen. Mine That Bird finished last in the 2008 Juvenile before winning the Derby at huge odds.

Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s racing manager, said the horse will be shipped back to Dubai, Godolphin’s home, with an eye toward a couple of stakes races before the Kentucky Derby.

"We need to make it through the next stage first before we can make any firm commitments," Crisford said. "But of all the 2-year-olds we have right now, he would be the one we’re looking at Churchill Downs."

Some of the more notable 2-year-old colts that skipped the Juvenile were the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Dublin, who won the $300,000 Hopeful Stakes in September at Saratoga Race Course, and Homeboykris, who won the Champagne Stakes last month at Belmont Park.

-- Greg Risling

Quality Road scratched from $5M Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. — Quality Road was scratched from the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday after he bucked violently in the starting gate and scraped his hind leg.

The 3-year-old refused to enter the gate before the signature race of the two-day world championships at Santa Anita. Handlers tried everything to get him loaded, leading him in circles and even placing a hood over his head.

After he was finally pushed in, Quality Road bucked numerous times and had to be backed out. Fearing an injury, the decision was made to scratch the Todd Pletcher-trained horse.

"We got the worse luck at the worst time on the biggest day," Pletcher said.

Veterinarian Larry Bramlage initially said Quality Road scratched his hind leg.

"He’s a bit of a juvenile delinquent anyway," Bramlage said. "It became a contest of wills. There wasn’t anything that helped. He wasn’t going in the gate today."

Fellow vet C. Wayne McIlwraith said the horse sustained superficial cuts to his limbs.

"You can’t race when you have a bleeding laceration," McIlwraith said.

The rest of the field also was backed out of the starting gate because of the delay. They were led back in moments later and, after getting off to a slow start, unbeaten mare Zenyatta rallied to the victory before a crowd of 58,845.

Quality Road had been impressive in his last race, edged out by Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The colt won the Florida Derby and was considered the Kentucky Derby favorite before hoof injuries sidelined him for the Triple Crown season.

Quality Road has a history of acting up at the gate. This time, it cost his connections a shot at winning North America’s richest race.

"It was bad timing," Pletcher said.

Long shot Furthest Land wins BC Dirt Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. — Furthest Land has pulled off a stunning upset in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, defeating Ready’s Echo by three-quarters of a length.

Furthest Land went off at 21-1 odds on Saturday at Santa Anita, and paid $44.60 to win.

Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Furthest Land ran the distance in 1:35.50 on the synthetic surface, which replaced Santa Anita’s traditional dirt track a few years ago.

He became the third gelding to win on the second day of the season-ending world championships. Furthest Land was claimed for $35,000 a year ago at Belmont Park.

He was the third winner ridden by Leparoux during this edition of the Breeders’ Cup.

Ready’s Echo returned $18.20 and $9.40, while Midshipman paid $4.20 to show. Mastercraftsman, the 7-5 favorite from Ireland, was fourth.

Conduit repeats as $3M BC Turf champion

ARCADIA, Calif. — Conduit defended his $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf championship, wearing down front-runner Presious Passion at the wire to win by a half-length.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, the 4-year-old colt covered 1½-miles on Santa Anita’s turf course in 2:23.75 and paid $3.80, $3 and $2.20. Presious Passion returned $5 and $3.80, while Dar Re Mi paid $3 to show.

It was the seventh win in 14 tries for Conduit, who boosted his career earnings to more than $5.3 million. Conduit had won only once this year in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

Conduit made some strange pre-race headlines. A man was recently charged with blackmail in England, accused of threatening to kill the horse.

Allegre was scratched.

Goldikova wins 2nd straight BC Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. — Goldikova has successfully defended her title in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile, beating 10 male rivals.

The Irish import won Saturday’s race at Santa Anita by a half-length. Ridden by Olivier Peslier, Goldikova ran the distance on the turf in 1:32.26 and paid $4.80, $4 and $2.60 as the 7-5 wagering favorite.

Peslier and trainer Freddy Head also were part of the 4-year-old filly’s victory last year over the same turf course.

Courageous Cat returned $12.80 and $8, while Justenuffhumor was another length back in third and paid $8 to show. Court Vision was fourth.

Goldikova’s victory was the third by a Europe-based horse Saturday. Two European horses won on Friday’s opening day of the world championships.

Dancing in Silks pulls shocker in BC Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. — Dancing in Silks has pulled off a huge upset in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint, winning a four-horse photo finish by a nose.

The 4-year-old gelding edged Crown of Thorns in Saturday’s race at Santa Anita. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Dancing in Silks ran 6 furlongs in 1:08.14.

Carla Gaines became the third woman to train a Breeders’ Cup winner, and the first since Laura de Seroux saddled Azeri to a victory in the 2002 Ladies’ Classic.

Sent off at 25-1 odds, Dancing in Silks paid $52.60, $19.20 and $12. Crown of Thorns returned $13.20 and $8.60, while Cost of Freedom was another head back in third and paid $9.20 to show.

Gayego was fourth in the field of nine. Trainer Bob Baffert had his two-year winning streak in the race snapped when 9-5 favorite Zensational finished fifth.

California Flag cruises to win in BC Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. — California Flag has lived up to his favorite’s status by winning the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The 5-year-old gray gelding defeated Gotta Have Her by 1¾ lengths Saturday at Santa Anita. It was the first Breeders’ Cup win for 20-year-old jockey Joe Talamo and trainer Brian Koriner, who along with California Flag are based in California.

California Flag paid $8.80, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 3-1 favorite, a year after finishing 10th in the same race. He ran 6½ furlongs on the turf in 1:11.28, just off his own track record of 1:11.10.

Gotta Have Her returned $8.80 and $5.60, while Cannonball was another three-quarters of a length back in third and paid $4.80 to show.

Delta Storm was fourth in the field of 14.

-- Beth Harris 

Pounced wins Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

ARCADIA, Calif. — Pounced split horses in deep stretch and went on to victory in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Pounced defeated Bridgetown by three-quarters of a length in Saturday’s opening Breeders’ Cup race at Santa Anita. Jockey Frankie Dettori earned his ninth career BC win and had to steady himself with two hands on the ground after his traditional flying dismount.

Trained by John Gosden, Pounced ran one mile on the turf in 1:35.47 and paid $6.80, $4.80 and $3.20. Bridgetown returned $6.60 and $4.20, while Interactif was another head back in third and paid $3.20 to show as the slight 3-1 wagering favorite.

Awesome Act was fourth in the field of 12.

Pounced is owned by Lady Serena Rothschild, who is married to an heir of Britain’s Rothschild banking fortune.

Elsewhere

Lostroh ties for first in 6th round

LAS VEGAS — World standings leader Kody Lostroh won for the third straight round in the Professional Bull Riders World Finals on Saturday night, finishing in a five-way tie for first in the sixth round with an 89.25-point ride on Chester.

Lostroh shared the round win with Aaron Roy (Big Iron), Cody Nance (Foolish Pride), Brian Canter (Frosty) and Robson Palermo (Grey Dog). JB Mauney, second in the world standings, was 12th in the round with an 87.25 on Beer Goggles.

"There were a lot of great bullriders tonight and they all were about even," Mauney said. "It was a hard judging to do tonight, but they probably could have split them up a little different. But that’s the judge’s call I guess. We look at it a little different than the judges do."

Qualifying on his bull allowed Mauney to stay atop the event standings with 534.5 points, followed by Lostroh (534) and Valdiron de Oliveira (530) with two rounds left Sunday. They are the lone riders to qualify on all six of their bulls. De Oliveira tied for 10th in the round with an 88 on Maverick.

Palermo and Roy moved up in the standings with the first-place ties.

Palermo is fourth at the finals with 444.75 points, and Roy is fifth with 439.25. They each have covered five of six bulls.

In the world standings, Lostroh has 14,000 points, Mauney is second with 12,965.5 and defending World champion Guilherme Marchi, who has been bucked off in five of the six rounds, is third with 11,732.25. Marchi qualified for the first time at the finals when he finished 19th with an 86 on Rowdy LJ.

Mauney could claim a $250,000 bonus if he can hold off Lostroh for the event title at the Thomas & Mack Center. If Lostroh stays atop the world standings — he has had the top spot for the last 20 events of the regular season and six finals rounds — he would earn a $1 million bonus. He claimed $14,000 for a share of the round win Saturday and is first at the finals with $82,000.

"The best thing to do is not worry about nothing. Just do like I’ve been doing and try to stay calm and relaxed and just have fun," Mauney said. "That’s my whole problem (Lostroh). I’d be doing good if it wasn’t for him. He rides too good.

"It’s a good feeling when they introduce me or Kody. The crowd is cheering, hoping and hollering because they like to see a race like this. The fans are behind us, and I’m just having a good time doing it."

Twenty-four of the 40 competitors had qualified rides during the sixth round.

If I Can Dream wins Messenger Stakes

YONKERS, N.Y. — If I Can Dream was an easy winner of Yonkers Raceway’s $542,060 Messenger Stakes on Saturday night.

Leaving from the third post position, If I Can Dream went wire-to-wire to win by three lengths in the third leg of the Pacing Triple Crown. Tim Tetrick drove the 3-year-old son of Western Hanover to a time of 1:52 2/5.

Clear Vision was second, with Straight Shooting finishing third.

If I Can Dream, who earlier this season won the $421,850 Art Rooney Pace here, saw his 2009 bankroll increase to more than $1.6 million. He has won 11-of-20 races this season for owner Bulletproof Enterprises and trainer Tracy Brainard.

Expansion wins Red Smith at Aqueduct

NEW YORK — Expansion won the $150,000 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct on Saturday, beating favored Grand Couturier for a 1¼-length victory on the turf.

Making his debut for trainer Chad Brown, Expansion won for the third time in 16 starts. Channing Hill was aboard the 4-year-old colt, who ran the 1 3-8 miles in 2:18.93 on a firm course.

Expansion paid $27.60, $7.80 and $5. Grand Couturier, sent off at 9-5, paid $3.50 and $2.50. Spice Route showed at $3.60.

In the pair of supporting 2-year-old stakes, Buddy’s Saint won the $150,000 Nashua and Ailalea took the $100,000 Tempted for fillies.