Zenyatta Remains Undefeated after Apple Blossom Victory

Sources: Blood-Horse, Thoroughbred Times

Zenyatta achieved a remarkable record 16 wins for 16 starts following her Apple Blossom Stakes win at Oaklawn Park yesterday. This string of victories ties her with Citation, Cigar, and Mr. Frisky as the only modern thoroughbreds to realize such an achievement in non-statebred races. Her lifetime earnings have reached 5.9 million dollars.

Under her regular jockey, Mike Smith, Zenyatta ran her typical race - following behind the leaders, then catching them up in style in the stretch. She began her move in the far turn, had achieved the lead before the quarter pole, and finished with a 4-1/2 length margin to win with ease.

This is her second victory in the Apple Blossom, her 10th Grade I stakes win, and only the second time she has raced outside of her home base in California. Close to 45,000 fans came out to cheer her on.

Zenyatta is a Kentucky bred by Street Cry, out of a Kris S. mare. Her owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, with trainer John Sherriffs are not sure yet what her next race will be. The highly anticipated match up in the Apple Blossom with Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra fell through when Rachel Alexandra's performance in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes race at the Fairgrounds mid-March, showed she had not achieved peak racing condition.

Zenyatta's owners said that her race schedule this year will be pointed toward the Breeder's Cup this fall and if a show-down with Rachel Alexandra fits into that schedule then she will be welcome.