Zenyatta, The Unstoppable Filly

Zenyatta was born on 1 April 2004 and is the daughter of Street Cry and Vertigineux. She is owned by Jerome Moss and his wife, Ann, and is trained under the patient care of John Shirreffs. So far, this magnificent filly has won all five of her career starts, giving breathtaking performances at every racing event. With her career earnings already at over five hundred thousand dollars, everyone is waiting in anticipation for her next horse racing victory.

At Hollywood Park on Saturday the 31st of May 2008, Zenyatta once again managed to pull off a breathtaking win in the Millady Handicap. A few gasps of disbelief and fright were heard amongst spectators as Zenyatta got bumped around a little by Double Trouble and Romance Is Diane just after leaving the starting gates. This unfortunate incident saw Zenyatta fall back into last position and the lead being taken by Romance Is Diane, with Double Trouble close on her heels. By the time the contenders hit the back stretch, Double Trouble was starting to fall behind and Santa Teresita saw her chance to challenge Romance is Diane for the race leader position. Zenyatta did not give Santa Teresita much chance as she stormed into the lead wide, leaving Santa Teresita in second position and Kris’ Sis in third.

With performances such as these, many fans and spectators have questioned why Zenyatta is not put up against the colts. Her obvious ability to outsmart and outrun her fellow fillies and mares has led many to believe that there is no real competition for Zenyatta in the mares and fillies racing events. Even the Breeders’ Cup Distaff champion, Ginger Punch, had no chance against the strength and speed of Zenyatta during the Apple Blosson Handicap, which took place at Oaklawn Park almost eight weeks ago.

Fans and racing industry gurus have said that if Zenyatta was to be entered into the upcoming Hollywood Gold Cup ($750 000), it would not only make for a very interesting race, with contenders such as Heatseeker in the field, but that she would stand a very good chance in winning the Gold Cup. Fillies winning the Hollywood Gold Cup are not unheard of as Princessnesian won in 1968, Two Lea took the title in 1952, as did Happy Issue in 1944, and in 1977 Cascapedia came home in second position. But there has been no mention of intent to race Zenyatta against colts from her trainer or owner, leaving horse racing enthusiasts waiting patiently for her next racing event.