ZENYATA??!!!!

[Andrew]

Has my head been in the sand or what???? I've never herd or saw her before todays race.

She's stunning 9 for 9 today!! She'll now go up against Ginger Punch in the Breeders Cup should be an awsome race.

If you owned Zenyata who would you breed her to and why?

[Glimmerglass]

Zenyatta (named for The Police album of the same - Zenyatta Mondatta - as Jerry Moss the owner of the filly was the "M" of A&M Records which signed The Police and released the album ;) She has actually been watched and celebrated for some time on these boards. A lot of people, including myself, have been fans of hers for some time.

[Arcadien]

What a cool cool filly. I'd say they have a lot of choices for a mate, she's Mr. P on top but lots of sound old, even European, turf blood, up close - Roberto, Forli, Troy! - so plenty of choices, look for the best speed conformationally suited to her!

Can't wait to see the show down in BC,

Arcadien

[Coral]

She's just terrific :D

I really don't know why, but I love a horse that hesitates at the gate a bit and then charge on to beat everyone. It just makes me smile.

[Blinkers On]

I love this filly. She always takes my breath away. Sort of looks like she'll get beat at the head of the lane and explodes and is so much the best!!! Wonder how good she really is, 'cause she's pretty darn amazing!

[justalittlex]

There's talk she may be "Horse of the Year."

[LaurieB]

There's talk she may be "Horse of the Year."

Right now, she'd be my 2nd choice behind Curlin. But if she runs in the BC and wins to remain undefeated and Curlin skips the BC (which I wouldn't blame his connections for doing) then I'd love to see her win HOY.

[Toadie's mom]

Right now, she'd be my 2nd choice behind Curlin. But if she runs in the BC and wins to remain undefeated and Curlin skips the BC (which I wouldn't blame his connections for doing) then I'd love to see her win HOY.

What she said ;)

[Glimmerglass]

I ran across a "petition" to urge Jerry Moss to run her in the BCC, which considering she happily wins on synthetics (and is a big gal!) it could be an interesting thought. She tends to break slow and will spot the leaders a fair amount of distance early but then consumes horses like tic tacs with ease.

Video replay:Zenyatta's maiden Nov 22, 2007, Hollywood Park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDlOG7rPLX0)

Race caller Vic Stauffer has been a fan since day one ... hear his call of her second start, also at HP, Dec 15, 2007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3TCWwDC8E0&feature=related)

Vic's remark in start #2: "Here's a future superstar"

[Glimmerglass]

The chances of Moss/Sherriffs running Zenyatta in the BCC (vs. $2M Grade 1 Ladies' Classic - Oct 24 (http://www.breederscup.com/division.aspx?divisionname=lclassic)) are 0.019% to none.

LA Times 9-28-08 "Zenyatta runs like a star at Santa Anita" (http://www.latimes.com/sports/horseracing/la-sp-oaktreemain28-2008sep28,0,1189036.column)

Zenyatta stands slightly more than 17 hands tall, which is gigantic for a filly, and in full stride, she looks as if she's running in slow motion.

Zenyatta is next expected to run in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic on Oct. 24 at Santa Anita, though some have asked Moss if Zenyatta would be willing to take on males Curlin or Big Brown in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

"I don't think there's any chance," he said. "We don't want to get her into that mix."

But if Zenyatta keeps winning, she's going to thrust herself into consideration for Horse of the Year.

She has won on dirt, Cushion Track, Polyturf and now Santa Anita's new Pro-Ride. And it came on a day with scorching heat.

[VirginiaBred]

Wow.

What a filly!!!

[Calico]

Of all of her races, my favorite call was something like, "How do you describe perfection? Why try? Let's just watch her run!"

I would love to see her in the Classic, but really, I don't care where or how, I just want to watch her again.

[Glimmerglass]

Of all of her races, my favorite call was something like, "How do you describe perfection? Why try? Let's just watch her run!"

That was the Milady Handicap, Hollywood Park, 5/31/08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMosPT2w0Sc&feature=related) :D

[VirginiaBred]

That was the Milady Handicap, Hollywood Park, 5/31/08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMosPT2w0Sc&feature=related) :D


Holy smokes!!!!!!!! That gives me goosebumps!!!!!!!

Thank you Andrew for posting this thread!!!!! :yes:

[Marney]

I agree. She is an amazing filly!!!! She does it so easily and never looks she is working. Love her.

[Glimmerglass]

Vic added in this quip during the 2008 Vanity Handicap (July 5th) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34G-d7oF150&feature=related) "here comes the Amazon!" after giving 15-lengths to a Canadian grey invader.

Sadly the 2nd place horse and very worthy competitor the Bob Baffert trained, Tough Tiz's Sis, was retired Sep 20th (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/news/story?id=3599552) after workout injury. She was to have faced Zenyatta in the Lady's Secret

[Blinkers On]

I am torn, but they will both be in BC, Good news

[VirginiaBred]

Keerping my fingers crossed for Zenyatta on Friday!!!!!!!!!!



http://www.horseracingnews.net/horse-racing-industry/breeders-cup-contenders-october-24-zenyatta-leads-2008-breeders-cup-ladies-classic-field.php

[Laurierace]

As an aside, it may be worthwhile to name your next race horse after something related to the band the Police. Zenyatta got her name after the Police album Zenyatta Mondatta which has been reported to mean absolutely nothing, not sure if that part is true. And then we have Giacomo, the most unworthy Derby winner in the modern era IMO, but his name is still on the glass who was named after Sting's son.
I was a mega Police fan in High School but I lived for the drummer Stewart Copeland. Maybe my mare is carrying little Stewart right now?

[VirginiaBred]

Maybe my mare is carrying little Stewart right now?


I should think so! :lol:

[Glimmerglass]

As an aside, it may be worthwhile to name your next race horse after something related to the band the Police.

Oddly enough what 2-yr old horse just ran at Belmont October 9th? Synchronicity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronicity_(album))

It was the 4th race at 7 Furlongs on the Turf for 2-year olds. Maiden Special Weight. Purse $47,000. Ridden by Eddie Castro, she finished 3rd out of 10 starters.

Per the BloodHorse (http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/maidenwatch/archive/2008/10/09/run-smart-one-to-rockland-for-me-you-and-her.aspx)

She sold for $85,000 as a weanling and $170,000 as a yearling. Synchronicity (More Than Ready - Since Time Began by Rubiano). Synchronicity is out of a winning mare who has produced 4 winners, including grade III winner, Victorina.

She is not however a Jerry & Ann Moss owned horse ;)

[lalahartma1]

Any good photos of her?

[kookicat]

Any good photos of her?

http://www.delmarscene.com/data/photos/zenyatta_thepaddock.jpg

If you google 'Zenyatta filly' or 'Zenyatta horse' it brings up lots. :)

She's a very pretty girl!

[Calico]

John Sheriffs has several videos of her around the barn on youtube, walking the shedrow, grazing, etc. :)

[lalahartma1]

Thanks! I had hit google images but didn't see much, the you tube vids are nice! What a mellow looking girl!

[Glimmerglass]

By the way, Jerry & Ann Moss do have another horse, not yet on the track, who is named for the other half: Mondatta ;)

[Andrew]

This waiting till 6:15 est is KILLING ME .... one would think I owned her LOL

[VirginiaBred]

Good Luck Zenyatta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VirginiaBred]

Undefeated!!!!!!!!!!!!Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnnysauntie]

Wow. Just wow. That big girl can ROLL!

[clint]

Wow! What a grand girl she is.

[Mao]

WOW Zenyatta!!!!!!

[RedMare01]

Is she retiring after this year?

Caitlin

[Marney]

All I have to say is WOW!!!!! Ruffian has been my all time favorite horse for as long as I can remember and Zenyatta reminds me of her. The way she runs is so easy and she never looks as though she is getting out of a canter. Hopefully she will be back next year which I think is the plan.

[kcmel]

The current plan is to race her next year. Keep your fingers crossed.

[Glimmerglass]

Is she retiring after this year?

The Moss family was being mum however on ESPN2 they said that she was confirmed as racing in 2009.

[BlueRidgeEventer]

What an awesome girl! Sorry to have missed the race live, and the video probably doesn't do her justice, but wow!

[RedMare01]

Excellent that she is going to race next year. Hopefully she takes on the boys at some point.

I just looked up her pedigree and saw that she's a half sister to Balance and another stakes winner. Her dam is really producing some good horses. Love the Kris S, too.

Caitlin

[VirginiaBred]

Here she is in the 2008 Breeders Cup Ladies Classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ucnV4RjBU&feature=related

[VirginiaBred]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/50875/zenyatta-makes-belated-seasonal-bow-in-milady


"Undefeated Zenyatta (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/zenyatta/2004?source=BHonline), last year's champion older female, gets her 2009 campaign off to a slightly belated start when she carries top weight of 126 pounds in Hollywood Park's $150,000 Milady Handicap (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/HOL/2009/5/23/8/milady-h?dayEvening=D) (gr. II) May 23."

[Calico]

yeah, she won this same GII last year. She is 5 years old and I wish Moss/Shirreffs would step up her campaign instead of beating up on the same old same old.

[Calico]

10 for 10! Woo hoooo!!

She looked fantastic in the post parade, doing her little spanish walk thang. She has been jumping out of her skin for awhile, at least since she was at Churchill.

[Filly85']

I have been watching horse racing for 14 years, and in all 14, there has never been a more exciting year than this year. This year tops anything that I have ever seen.

Zenyatta is a freak. She's better than she was last year.

So many great stories and great horses this year.

[ivy62]

is there a replay of the race posted anywhere? I have to see it! She is awesome....

[clint]

I just looked on youtube and the race is there. Search under Zenyatta 2009.

[Calena]

Bloodhorse.com has the replay posted too.

Everytime this mare runs she makes me nervous as heck, then makes a fool of all the fillies and me for doubting her. Left from the 8th outside post. Loped along wwaayy behind everyone again. Got inside her stablemate, got cutoff, had to check hard, went to the outside and swung around the entire field (again) and flew past them like they were all asleep. I will say her stablemate (I forget the name) was quite impressive and running like a serious racehorse. Not that it mattered.

The Big Z finished her performance by dancing her way around the track to get back to the winner's circle. Does anyone else get the impression (God forbid!) Zenyatta secretly wants to be a dressage horse in her next life?!!!

[Liberty]

Simply amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiKc8j5tUZo

[ivy62]

Bring on RA! I would love to see these 2 in a race together That would be an awesome race. Is RA as good as they say, I think Zenyatta has her beat.....what do ya say?

[War Admiral]

Bring on RA! I would love to see these 2 in a race together That would be an awesome race. Is RA as good as they say, I think Zenyatta has her beat.....what do ya say?

Given their similar running styles, I actually think Zenyatta v. Mine That Bird would be a LOT more fun. :D

[ivy62]

WA- I do agree but I do not know if they plan on running Zenyatta against the boys....wish they would...I look forward to fun season this year maybe the would all meet at the Breeders Cup Classic but then again you have those European horses coming too....

[War Admiral]

LOL, I was just fantasizing.

Probably be the SLOWEST first half in the history of horse racing though! :lol:

Seriously, congrats to Zenyatta & to Jerry Moss (don't know him personally but we have mutuals). She is one awesome filly!

[Calena]

I was curious, so I just looked up Rachel Alexandra's finish times for 1-1/16 mi. Her fastest was the Fantasy Stakes, won by 8-3/4 carrying 121 lbs, time was 1:43:35.

Zenyatta just played with this field and her finish carrying 126 lbs was 1:42:30. I don't want to see Zenyatta in the Classic because she'll run right over MTB and I like that little horse ;). She's still the queen :winkgrin:.

[VirginiaBred]

She is a PERFECT 10.

[Filly85']

I was curious, so I just looked up Rachel Alexandra's finish times for 1-1/16 mi. Her fastest was the Fantasy Stakes, won by 8-3/4 carrying 121 lbs, time was 1:43:35.

Zenyatta just played with this field and her finish carrying 126 lbs was 1:42:30. I don't want to see Zenyatta in the Classic because she'll run right over MTB and I like that little horse ;). She's still the queen :winkgrin:.

You can't compare times between tracks or even from day to day. Hollywood Park generally plays a lot faster than than surfaces such as Oaklawn or Churchill.

Rachel Alexandra won the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs at 2 years of age in 1:43.08. She broke the stakes record in that race. She also would have broke the stakes record in the Fantasy had she not been slowed down before the wire. Zenyatta hasn't broken a stakes record to my knowledge. RA has broken 2, and has come close in 3 or 4 other races while being geared down.

[ASB Stars]

I just loved how she pricked up her ears as she reached the past few strides.

I do think that RA is the better member of the distaff group- but, she is also younger, and this mare is looking more mature.

As long as they both come home safe- bring it on!

[VirginiaBred]

Had to watch it again. Wow, and with just a hand ride by Mike Smith. :)

[maybedog]

Hmmm... Looks like the fillies don't have to run against the boys to prove they are special. You go Zenyatta. Maybe one day you will face Rachel, if she's not too worn out by then.

[Cartier]

Given their similar running styles, I actually think Zenyatta v. Mine That Bird would be a LOT more fun. :D
I so agree, but what would be the times in the early part of the race? :lol:

[hitchinmygetalong]

Post parade (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pquesM7uvhU&NR=1)

Class class class.

[J. Turner]

Zenyatta (named for The Police album of the same - Zenyatta Mondatta - as Jerry Moss the owner of the filly was the "M" of A&M Records which signed The Police and released the album ;) She has actually been watched and celebrated for some time on these boards. A lot of people, including myself, have been fans of hers for some time.

I was wondering that. They should name all her babies after Police songs.

[ASB Stars]

Well, lots 'O class, except for the tongue! :lol:

Seriously, she has the walk of a panther- and after stalking her prey, she strikes just as quickly and terminally...

[J. Turner]

No offense, but in the post parade she looked waaaay uneven in her hind end. I don't know how racehorses do it. So many of them look crippled behind.

[VirginiaBred]

No offense, but in the post parade she looked waaaay uneven in her hind end. I don't know how racehorses do it. So many of them look crippled behind.


She has always had that "strut" in the rear. There have been several write-ups on it.

[Acertainsmile]

I'm betting her first filly will be named Roxanne...:) I love this mare!

[brightskyfarm]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv49V2RzgHw

[pandorasboxx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv49V2RzgHw

That was thrilling!

[GreenMachine]

What a fantastic mare.

It looks like the rest of her year is going to be a repeat of last year (http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=39566).

I have to admit to being disappointed that they aren't planning to give her a Horse of the Year campaign. What does she have left to prove against the West coast F&M division? I know her connections are among the best in the business, but I would have loved to see them seek out some challenges for her. I think she would have risen to the occasion marvelously!

[iloverocky]

I have to admit to being disappointed that they aren't planning to give her a Horse of the Year campaign. What does she have left to prove against the West coast F&M division? I know her connections are among the best in the business, but I would have loved to see them seek out some challenges for her. I think she would have risen to the occasion marvelously!

I agree that it is a little disappointing that she won't try different things this year, but I still love this mare and will take any races they give us because she is just gorgeous to watch.

[Calena]

Zenyatta transcends gender

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-zenyatta24-2009may24,0,7688526.column

Shirreffs was asked repeatedly what is next. His answer was the same as all trainers, who need to know what shape their horse is in after a race. Deep inside, Shirreffs certainly knew that Zenyatta may not have even broken a sweat for this one.

Next up is likely to be the $300,000 Vanity on June 27 at Hollywood Park. That's also a race for females. Soon, Shirreffs and the Mosses will let her take a run at the boys, maybe the big boys of Breeders' Cup racing. Shirreffs has hinted recently at the likelihood of facing the boys, each time with more of a gleam in his eye.

When that happens, it'll be just another great equine athlete in the starting gate. With Zenyatta, gender has become a non-issue.

[elsbet]

Now wouldn't that be interesting......... :yes:

[FatDinah]

Here's a Jeremy Plonk column from espn.com on Big Z and any potential match with Rachel Alexandra.
(I am not agreeig with the writer, just sharing.)

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/columns/story?columnist=plonk_jeremy&id=4209183

[LaurieB]

Who needs to see her run against the boys? The way this year is shaping up, I'd rather see her run against the other filly who's also better than the boys. That's the race I'm looking forward to. :yes: