Can Zenyatta Win the Breeders Cup Classic Again?
Contributed By Post Time PetePosted on 9/27/10 4:18 PM
The Breeder's Cup Classic is considered by many to be the premier race of the year. It is notoriously difficult to predict due to the high quality of thoroughbreds competing. Very often, the winner of this race goes on to win the Horse of the Year honors. This year the Classic will be run at Churchill Downs, home to the Kentucky Derby. While the race is fun to watch any year, this year it will offer something special for the enthusiasts and casual horse racing fans alike.
As Zenyatta preps for the Lady's Secret Noms and, quite possibly, her 19th victory in a row, she may very well be running for history. Can she become only the second horse in history (the other being Tiznow) to win the race twice and the first Mare to repeat ever?
In order to evaluate her chances, you have to look at who she may be running against. First is the top 3 year-old in the country, Lookin' At Lucky. Lucky is the current favorite to win Horse of the Year honors after winning the Preakness and the Haskell this year. Baffert's plans for Lucky appear to be an appearance in the Indiana Derby and, while this may be a great prep race, there's no guarantee Baffert would even run Lucky in the Classic. He's never raced against older horses before, which is not usually a winning formula. However, until he's ruled out, he should be viewed as a serious contender.
The favorite amongst handicappers I've spoken to recently has to be the race we never got to see last year – Quality Road. Road refused to enter the gate last year in the Classic and was a late scratch. However, he's had a solid year losing by a nose to Blame in the Whitney Handicap but taking a victory in the Woodward. Trainer Todd Pletcher plans to train him right up to the Classic, which some argue isn't the best way to have him ready. Still, he's one of the top thoroughbreds in the country and, if he shows up on race day, we may see a show.
Having gone 7 and 1 in his last 8 races, Blame is another serious contender. Three of his wins came at Churchill Downs, home to this year's Breeder's Cup. This horse is on fire and, having recently beaten Quality Road, deserves some serious attention.
What about Rachel Alexandra? Don't count on it. This match-up wouldn't be the same one we all wanted to see last year anyway because Rachel isn't the same horse. After starting the year slow, she looked like she got some of her step back in the Fleur De Lis and Lady's Secret. However, after a loss in the Personal Ensign Invitational, there are whispers of a jockey change in the works.
Super Saver is only a shadow of the horse we saw in the Kentucky Derby and many are starting to realize his win may have been the result of a sloppy track and a jockey who knows Churchill Downs better than anyone. Drosselmeyer, the Belmont Stakes winner, and Afleet Express, winner of the Travers Stakes, are both out with injuries for the year and will not make the Classic.
Rip Van Winkle didn't show in last year's Breeder's Cup Classic and many expect he won't even compete this year. Rip isn't much of a dirt horse and, while he's run strong, he suffered a disappointing loss to Poet's Voice in the Queen Elizabeth II.
Blind Luck is scheduled to match off against Zenyatta in the Lady's Secret Noms. Luck is a Jerry Hollendorfer trained horse who won the Hollywood Starlet by seven lengths. She's one of the best 3 year-old's in the country right now and will give Zenyatta a run for her money.
Just looking over her field of possible contenders, Zenyatta will have her work cut out for her. However, if the Queen is to set the record at 20-0, shouldn't she beat the best? I have to admit I'm rooting for her. Anyone that doesn't think she's the most exciting thing to happen to the sport in recent years is really missing the big picture. I will say, however, that whether she gets to 20-0 or not, I hope the Moss' let her enjoy a nice long and healthy retirement after the Classic.
That's what I think, what are your thoughts? Let me know by posting a comment below.
comments powered by Disqus
