A QUEEN IS KING

Royalty and non-royalty from around the world of horse racing gathered at the Santa Anita racecourse just a hop, skip and a jump from Hollywood for the annual Breeders Cup. Some come dressed to the nine’s. The lady’s in the latest haute couture fashion topped with hats that would be right at home during Royal Ascot or the Kentucky Derby. Then men smartly suited with the now back in style snap brim summer straw hats. They were joined by just plain Joe’s and Jane’s that loved horse racing. With 14 races over two days at distances of 6 furlongs to 1 ½ miles on fake dirt (poly ride) and turf, horse racing’s version of the Ryder Cup was played. The Yanks would win that competition 8 races to 6. Under a crystal clear azure sky with the majestic San Gabriel mountain range as a backdrop the lady Zenyatta showed the boys her flanks charging into racing history. Out of 145 animals this lady would be crowned King.

Zenyatta owned by Ann and Jerry Moss was named for the least successful album of the Police called Zenyatta Mondatta. Moss was the “M” in A&M record with the “A” being Herb Albert. Owner Moss and trainer John Sheriff’s had a big decision to make. They could either run Zenyatta in the Ladies Classic and protect her 13-13 career record with a easy win or toss her in with the boys in the Classic at 1 ¼ and a purse of $5 million. “Zenyatta told me she wanted to run against the boy’s,” said Moss. In the Classic Zenyatta faced the cream of the crop from America and Europe. Kentucky Derby winner Mind That Bird and England’s Rip Van Winkle who’s last two wins were Group 1’s at Goodwood and Ascot were in the field. As the 14 horse field entered the stretch in front of 57,000 screaming fans, many hold signs for Zenyatta, the lady had two horse beat. With less than a 8th of a mile to go Zenyatta still trailed in 7th. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith then made the decision to take the mare outside of the tiring Rip Van Winkle and Regal Ransom the latter who had set a torrid suicidal pace.
Zenyatta perked her ears taking off like a rocket ship crossing the finish line with a clear length over the equally fast closing Gio Ponte with England’s Twice Over third.

Had Zenyatta not stolen the show there would still be enough plot line to keep Hollywood script writes busy for years. Stories played out about ever 28 minutes which was the time between races on this sprawling complex that was once part of the Spanish land grant called the Lucky Baldwin Ranch. From veteran JP Murtage’s ride on Englands’ Man of Iron in the opening 1 ½ mile Marathon which raised the curtain until Zeneyatta brought it
down the thrills abounded. One unlikely story was Ahmen Ajtebi, a former camel jockey from the UAE now an apprentice on horses, winning with the Irish horse Vale of York which paid $63.20. Another from Ireland Goldokova repeating last years win in the turf mile. John McRirick a famous TV horse racing personality in England made a TV appearance. Known for his outlandish dress, mutton chops and almost illegible verbiage he proclaimed “Bet against Zenyatta. She is a fraud. She’ll get run over and killed by the boy’s. No chance” No wonder as Rodger the Dodger say’s he’s called the Fat Prat. All hail Queen Zenyatta the King of them all.