Skip Away: The Unsung Super Horse, Part II

Skip Away: The Unsung Super Horse, part II
Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the second of a two part review on the racing history of that redoubtable warrior Skip Away owned by Carolyn Hine and trained by her husband Sonny. Part I looked at the big gray son of Skip Trial’s early years and finished with a three year-old season in 1996 that resulted in Skip Away winning an Eclipse Award as Champion Three Year Old Male. The second part focuses on his races from ages four to five and spans the years 1997 and 1998.

bloodhorse.com

With the retirement of Cigar, the torch was passed in 1997 to a new generation in the older male horse division. The most obvious “heir to the throne” was Skip Away who would begin his four year-old campaign in Florida. He began the year in the 9 furlong Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and found that giving 10 lb. and the early lead to Formal Gold too much to overcome in finishing second beaten 1½ lengths in a fast final time. The Donn victor, a dark hued son of Black Tie Affair, was a late developing three year-old of 1996. In 1997, he would prove himself on occasion to be a horse of considerable brilliance.

In the 1¼ mile Gulfstream Park Handicap, Skip Away went down again as Mt. Sassafras, in receipt of 9 lb., ran by him in the stretch to win by 2¼ lengths. Things seem to go worse for the Carolyn and Sonny Hine favorite as Skip Away traveled to Lone Star Park in for the Texas Mile Stakes and could only finish a distant third while getting weight from the winning Isitingood. Despite these setbacks, the Hines, unlike more risk averse minded owners, remained true to their family star, and eventually Skip Away would reward their good faith.

The Pimlico Special Handicap resulted in one of the strongest races of the year. Argentinian bred, but now U. S. raced, Gentlemen traveled from California with a vaunted reputation to accept high weight of 122 lb. The eight horse field included Skip Away (119 lb.) and two of his conquerors Isitingood and Mt. Sassafras. In the Special, Isitingood went right to the early lead closely pursued by Gentlemen. Skip Away who had an outside post (just as in the previous year’s Preakness) was carried wide around the clubhouse turn as he tried to stay in touch with the leaders. Around the far turn, Gentlemen went up to and passed Isitingood. Skip Away, still racing wide, challenged from the outside. Down the stretch, Gentlemen appeared he would pull away to a clear cut victory, but Skip Away kept coming and at the finish only ½ length separated the two. The time for the race was nearly a track record, and the final 3/16 of a mile was run particularly fast.

After the Pimlico Special, Gentlemen returned to California while Skip Away stayed until the late fall on the East Coast. Three weeks later Skip Away ran in the 9 furlong Massachusetts Handicap and faced two horses in the six horse field that had prior victories over him - Formal Gold and Will’s Way. The latter having defeated Skip Away in the 1996 Travers Stakes. Skip Away, this time showing more speed, got the jump on Formal Gold and grimly held sway to win by a head with Will’s Way finishing third, 3½ lengths further behind. The Mass Cap was Skip Away’s first victory of the year and would be the start of a great series of races in which the powerful son of Skip Trial would face either or both Formal Gold and Will’s Way.

The tri-part rivalry among Skip Away, Formal Gold, and Will’s Way (referred to as “The Three Amigos”) began in the Mass Cap continued next in the venerable Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. Skip Away, assigned 122 lb., was giving 2 lb. to Formal Gold (who had won the Brooklyn Handicap in the interim) and 6 lb. to Will’s Way. Shane Sellers was content to have the big gray sit off the early pace in the 1¼ mile race and then circled the leaders around the stretch turn. Once in the straight away, Skip Away showed uncommon acceleration to run past Will’s Way for a 1½ length victory with Formal Gold ¾ of a length back in third place. Back at the top of the Eastern handicap horses, Skip Away toted 125 lb. in the 9 furlong Whitney Handicap, but he found either the weight differential or the Saratoga mystique too much and finished third (just as in last year’s Travers Stakes) to Will’s Way (117 lb.). The latter, a son of Easy Goer, definitely a Saratoga horse, defeated Formal Gold (120 lb.) by the bob of his nose with Skip Away beaten 6½ lengths. Three weeks later, Skip Away (124 lb.) and Formal Gold (121 lb.) showed up at their home track Monmouth Park for the Philip H. Iselin Handicap. With only two other challengers, Distorted Humor and longshot Foolish Pole, the 8½ furlong contest appeared to be between the two top weights. However, it was a tour de force for Formal Gold who led all the way, setting fast fractions and coasted clear by 5¼ lengths breaking the track record. Skip Away held second, 2¼ lengths in front of Distorted Humor. 

Back at Belmont in September, The Three Amigos met again at equal weights in the 9 furlong Woodward Stakes with just two other competitors. What appeared a contentious race early turned into a rout ½ mile from the finish as Formal Gold streaked to a 5½ length victory. Skip Away, who could not keep pace with the winner, held second by a neck over Will’s Way who suffered a career ending fracture of his left front leg.

Formal Gold had now finished ahead of Skip Away four times this year, so the former seemed to be very much in the running for both Older Male Horse and Horse of the Year honors. As for Skip Away, who was certainly setting the standard for robustness in contemporary racehorses, he appeared next in the 1¼ mile Jockey Club Gold Cup, a race in which in the previous year he defeated Cigar. There was no Formal Gold (sitting this dance out) and Will’s Way (retired), but the strong favorite was Siphon, in from the West Coast. Sonny Hine, who had little patience with jockeys, replaced Shane Sellers (for the second time) on this occasion with Jerry Bailey with instructions to force the pace. Racing Siphon into defeat, Skip Away bounded away to an impressive 6½ length victory in near track record time. Siphon faded to fourth and as an aftermath was discovered with a career ending ankle injury. Skip Away, who you may recall (from part I) was not Breeder’s Cup eligible (he did not compete in 1996), was eventually supplemented for $480,000 into the Breeders’ Cup Classic after Sonny Hine, noting some key defections (see below), recognized the opportunity.

The 1997 Classic held at Hollywood Park lost probable favorites Gentlemen (lung infection) and Formal Gold (fracture of a cannon bone). In the nine horse field was Skip Away, now ridden by Mike Smith as Jerry Bailey was honoring a previous commitment, in addition to ranking three year-olds Touch Gold, Deputy Commander, and Behrens (with Bailey aboard).

Any anticipation of a close contest was dissipated about halfway through when Skip Away, performing like a man among boys, put the race away down the backstretch. Once he assumed command, the big gray just soared, winning by 6 lengths and leaving the others in his wake. The Hines were all kisses and smiles in the winner’s circle in that their $480,000 supplementary entry resulted in a $2,288,000 return. Sonny Hine, effusive as ever, even complimented deposed jockey Shane Sellers.

Skip Away was clearly the best horse still in training, and his Breeders’ Cup Classic victory was comparable with the finest ever. However, there was strong belief that both Gentlemen and Formal Gold were better than Skip Away based on head-to-head competition. In the manner of a compromise, Skip Away was voted the Eclipse Award for Older Male Horse, but was denied Horse of the Year. That award went to the undefeated two year-old Favorite Trick, questionable in that no one was comparing the diminutive son of Phone Trick to the previous juvenile to win Horse of the Year – Secretariat.

In 1998, there appeared to be a deep group of leading older horses as Skip Away stayed in training as well as Gentlemen, who many believed his superior. Among 1997’s leading sophomores, double classic winner and Three Year-old Champion, Silver Charm would see racing, as well as his often close adversary, Free House, and the powerful Frank Stronach owned duo of Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold and Queens Plate (in Canada) victor Awesome Again.

Skip Away started his five year-old campaign just as he began the previous year in Florida at Gulfstream Park. However, unlike 1997, he was able to win both the Donn and the Gulfstream Park Handicaps under his now regular rider Jerry Bailey. His main opposition was presumed to be Behrens, but he handled that opponent without much difficulty on both occasions.

While Silver Charm traveled abroad to capture the Dubai World Cup, back in the United States, Skip Away was extending his domination of older horses on the East Coast with authoritative wins in the Pimlico Special and the Massachusetts Handicaps. Carrying 128 lb. in the former and 130 lb. in the latter, the big gray son of Skip Trial had developed an elemental style - break cleanly, find his best stride with his high action, and then take over the race.

Skip Away, then shipped west for the Hollywood Gold Cup run under scale weights. In returning to the scene of his 1997 Breeder’s Cup Classic triumph, Skip Away faced Gentlemen who was making his first start since a shocking defeat in the Santa Anita Handicap. Interestingly, Skip Away was sent off the prohibitive favorite, although many last year considered Gentlemen the better horse. 

In the Gold Cup, Skip Away, using his now aggressive style, was sent to the lead under Jerry Bailey with Gentlemen under Gary Stevens in close pursuit. Setting fast fractions, Skip Away bounded down the backstretch with about a length lead. With a ½ mile left, Stevens roused Gentlemen to confront his rival, and the two were joined together around the far turn as both riders asked their mounts for their best. As the two straightened out for the stretch drive, it was clear Skip Away had won the battle as he edged clear of Gentlemen. Coming up the inside, Puerto Madero passed his stable mate to gain second, 1¾ lengths behind Skip Away, but 1 length in front of Gentlemen. With this victory, Sonny Hine claimed his trainee’s leadership of the older horse division, although he could not resist taunting trainer Bob Baffert for “cowardice” in not entering Silver Charm in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

“Skippy”, as known by his connections, returned to home base at Monmouth Park, and, under a career high 131 lb., won the Philip H. Iselin Handicap by a desperate nose over longshot Storming Fever who carried some 18 lb. less. This would be the last time Carolyn and Sonny Hine’s star would be asked to concede weight to his own age group.

The weight for age Woodward Stakes took on its time honored role as a pivotal race for championship honors. The five horse field contained Skip Away, Pacific Classic victor Free House, Gentlemen, Travers Stakes winner Coronado’s Quest, and European raced Running Stag. Skip Away went off the favorite, but there was good support for the other three U. S. raced horses with the public suspecting Skip Away’s narrow victory in the Iselin a sign he may be tailing off from a vigorous campaign. However, once the field was sent on their way, it was clear that Skip Away was at his best. Wresting the lead from Coronado’s Quest after a ¼ of a mile and setting rapid fractions, Skip Away dared all to keep up to his punishing pace. At the top of the stretch, he repulsed a concerted challenge from Gentlemen and then held sway down the stretch for an authoritative 1¾ length victory. Gentlemen was easily second, 6 lengths ahead of Running Stag.

The Jockey Club Gold Cup was next for Skip Away, a race he had won the past two years, and a victory would push his earnings past Cigar as the U. S. all-time money leader. His main opposition in the six horse field appeared to be Gentlemen who was outfitted with blinkers to sharpen his speed. On a sloppy Belmont racetrack, Gentlemen was sent to the front early forcing Skip Away to be the chaser this time. The two warriors raced as a team down the backstretch setting fast fractions for a 1¼ mile race. Around the far turn, Gentlemen won the battle as he put daylight between him and Skip Away. At the top of the stretch, the Argentinian drew out to a large lead, however, the pace took its toll as 34-1 shot Wagon Limit closed from last place to gain the lead and drew out for a shocking 5½ length margin. Gentlemen easily held second by 4¾ lengths over Skip Away. The winner, trained by the “Giant Killer” Allen Jerkens (conditioner of horses that had beaten Kelso, Buckpasser and Secretariat), had lost to Skip Away four times previously. The connections of Skip Away had failed in their attempt to gain the money crown and subsequently revealed that his ankle had swelled after the Gold Cup, leaving his participation in the Breeders’ Cup Classic questionable.

Seemingly recovered from his ankle problem, Skip Away made his final career start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It appeared to be the deepest in quality in its then fifteen year history. The headliners were the two grays - Skip Away and Silver Charm vying for Older Male and Horse of the Year Honors. The rest of the field included the entry of Awesome Again and Touch Gold, as well as, Coronado’s Quest, 1998 Belmont Stakes victor Victory Gallop, Gentlemen, Arch, Running Stag and the formidable European raced Swain. Skip Away was the favorite, but there was some unease due to soundness issues, his relatively poor performance in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the fact he had run the worst race of his career at Churchill Downs in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. In a dramatic and blanket finish, Awesome Again edged Silver Charm with Swain and Victory Gallop close up third and fourth, respectively. Skip Away, who was not the same racehorse as had been seen the past three years, finished sixth in his final start, beaten a total of four lengths. (In finishing worse than third, the Hines failed again in their quest to have Skip Away wrest the monetary title from Cigar.)

Despite defeats in his last two races, the Eclipse Award for Older Male went again to Skip Away. This time he was also voted Horse of the Year, based on his overall 1998 record, and the fact Skip Away probably should have won that Eclipse Award in 1997. 

He was retired to stud at the end of the 1998 season to Hopewell Farm in Kentucky having amassed a record of 18 wins (16 in stakes races) with overall 34 in the money performances in 38 starts. He was voted champion at age 3, 4 and 5, and Horse of the Year in 1998 (as indicated above). Despite his racetrack achievements, Skip Away was not supported well at stud and had, at best, modest success as a stallion. He suffered a heart attack in 2010 and died at age seventeen. However, this galloping gray with a long looping stride left an inedible memory of brilliance, durability, and heart, which typifies the best in the thoroughbred.

Skip Away: The Unsung Super Horse, Part I

Skip Away: The Unsung Super Horse, part I
Joseph Di Rienzi

As we look back at the best thoroughbreds who raced in the last quarter of the 20^th century, Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Affirmed easily come to mind, as well as the late blossoming Cigar. There were also outstanding females such as the unbeaten Personal Ensign and the brilliant but tragic Ruffian. However, in ticking off the great horses of this period, I believe Skip Away, who although he did not triumph in a Triple Crown race (though twice classic placed) nor did he have the win percentage we normally associate with the highest class of the breed, still should be included with the top echelon of this era. Skip Away raced four years competing in top level races his last three seasons. He was a rugged, durable individual and a throwback to an earlier time when horsemen raced their steeds, not being averse to losing. Skip Away’s best performances rate with anyone’s of that era, and he defeated over the course of his career an impressive list of foes. For these reasons, I would like to review and highlight (in two parts) Skip Away’s record and pay homage to him for his achievements.

Barbara D. Livngston-drf.com

 

Skip Away was bred in Florida and sold for $30,000 at a two year-olds in training sale in 1995 to Carolyn Hine, a native Baltimorean. He was trained by her husband, Hubert “Sonny” Hine. The tall gray son of Skip Trial (also trained by Hine) out of the Diplomat Way mare Ingot Way was an active juvenile in his 6 starts, placing in the Cowdin and Remsen Stakes in New York. Undeterred by only a single victory in 1995, the generally affable (but sometimes cantankerous) Hine predicted great things for Skip Away despite his somewhat unfashionable bloodlines. However, his first start of 1996 at Gulfstream Park was a disaster in that he was pulled up after bleeding through his nostrils. Administered the diuretic Lasix, Skip Away’s next race, an 8½ furlong allowance race, was more what Hine was expecting as he crushed the field, winning by 12 lengths.

In the Florida Derby, a prime Kentucky Derby prep race, Skip Away could finish no better than fourth, beaten a total of 8½ lengths to the runaway winner Unbridled’s Song. Future classic victors Editor’s Note and Louis Quatorze finished ahead of Skip Away in second and third place, respectively. All three mentioned in the previous sentence had their final Derby prep in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. Editor’s Note was favored over Louis Quatorze and Skip Away, but it was the Sonny Hine trainee who took over the race early and drew clear winning by 6 lengths in near track record time over the wet, fast surface. Finishing second was Louis Quatorze who gave futile chase to the winner all the way around, and Editor’s Note finished 1½ lengths behind in third place. This resounding victory by Skip Away moved him toward the forefront of Derby contenders and finally justified his trainer’s faith in his ability.

In the Kentucky Derby, Skip Away chose an inopportune time to run one of his poorest races, finishing twelfth after being in the front ranks of the field early. The winner, Grindstone, came from off the pace to just nose out Cavonnier at the finish. Favored Unbridled’s Song finished fifth; Editor’s Note was sixth, and Louis Quatorze was far back in sixteenth. Skip Away’s bad performance was attributed to an aversion to the Churchill Downs surface; a condition which would come back to haunt him in his final career start.

After the Derby, Grindstone suffered an injury that predicated his immediate retirement. Cavonnier, the narrowest of margin loser in the Derby, ruled the favorite in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack. However, the race was decided between the Derby’s sixteenth and twelfth place finishers, Louis Quatorze and Skip Away, respectively. Soon after the start, Pat Day, riding Louis Quatorze, sensing the racetrack was conducive to early speed, sent his mount to the front. Shane Sellers aboard Skip Away, having to angle his mount in from post 11, eventually took up the chase around the clubhouse turn. Setting a very fast pace, Louis Quatorze repulsed a concentrated charge by Sonny Hine’s colt around the stretch turn and drew clear to a 3¼ length victory, equaling at the time the stakes record. Skip Away, in an outstanding effort, was second 3 lengths in front of Editor’s Note who rallied mildly along the rail. Finishing fourth was Cavonnier who could not make up any ground on the leaders.

The Belmont Stakes run three weeks later appeared wide open with Preakness winner Louis Quatorze, classics placed Cavonnier, Skip Away, and Editor’s Note among the fourteen entrants. (Sonny Hine, in seeking a more aggressive ride for his trainee, replaced regular rider Shane Sellers with Jose Santos.) In a fast paced race, Skip Away, from mid-pack, engaged longshot Natural Selection and Louis Quatorze for the lead around the far turn. Cavonnier, who was alongside Skip Away down the backstretch, could not keep pace and was eventually pulled up, suffering a bowed tendon. Editor’s Note was in twelfth place early but moved up gradually down the backstretch. The son of Forty Niner made a sustained run around the long Belmont final turn to have only Skip Away ahead of him at the top of the stretch. In a protracted battle, Editor’s Note forged ahead in the shadow of the finish to prevail by 1 length. Skip Away, in another strong performance, was second, 4 lengths ahead of the filly My Flag. Finishing fourth was Louis Quatorze, another 6 lengths behind.

Having finished second in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, Skip Away would spend the summer and fall proving he was the best of his generation. In his first race after the Belmont, the pride and joy of Carolyn and Sonny Hine traveled to Thistledown near Cleveland to win the Ohio Derby by 3½ lengths. Carrying top weight of 124 lb. in the Buick Haskell Invitational Handicap at Monmouth Park, Skip Away closed relentlessly to defeat Dr. Caton (115 lb.) by 1 length. This was the third Sonny Hine trained Haskell winner, the others being Skip Trial (Skip Away’s sire) in 1985 and Technology in 1992. 

The Travers Stakes appeared to be a showdown for the classic aged colts. In the seven horse field, Skip Away was the favorite with Louis Quatorze and Editor’s Note, the second and third choices, respectively. Will’s Way, a lightly raced son of Easy Goer, who had narrowly finished second to Louis Quatorze in the Jim Dandy Stakes (in which Editor’s Note was fourth), was regulated to fifth choice. In the Travers, Louis Quatorze battled with longshot Prince of Heaven for the lead. Jose Santos had Skip Away in third place when he decided to have his mount come up the inside towards the end of the backstretch. Pat Day on Louis Quatorze closed that opening forcing Skip Away to steady and lose position. Meanwhile, Jorge Chavez on Will’s Way mounted his challenge on the outside and engaged Louis Quatorze at the top of the stretch. Santos had swung Skip Away to the outside of the two leaders but could not make up any ground. In a thrilling duel, Will’s Way edged clear of Louis Quatorze for a ¾ length victory. Skip Away was third, another length behind, much to the chagrin of Sonny Hine who was displeased with Santos’ ride. Editor’s Note, failed to close ground in finishing fourth, another 3½ lengths back.

After the Travers Stakes, both Skip Away and Louis Quatorze had traveled north of the U. S. border to Canada to run in the 9 furlong Woodbine Million Stakes and “book ended” the race with the former (reunited with Shane Sellers) winning by 3 lengths, and the latter finishing seventh and last. The pair then next surfaced in the 1¼ mile Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park where they faced the intimidating presence of Cigar. The six year-old son of Palace Music had his 16 race win streak stopped in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar Racetrack but returned east to score an impressive win in the Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park. Also in the Gold Cup were Editor’s Note and longshot Secreto de Estado.

Louis Quatorze bounced off his dismal Woodbine performance to grab the early lead in the Jockey Club Gold Cup with Skip Away just off his rear. Jerry Bailey settled Cigar in third place some 4 lengths off the temperate pace. Positions were unchanged until the far turn when Skip Away went up to challenge Louis Quatorze, and Cigar commenced his bid on the outside. At the top of the stretch, the two three year-olds were locked together with Cigar now only a length behind the top pair. Down the stretch, Skip Away edged clear of his sophomore rival, but Cigar was now the main threat as he closed ground on the gray leader. Just before the finish, Cigar drifted slightly out losing some momentum. Whether this cost him the race was unclear, but at the finish, Skip Away was a head in front of the reigning horse of the year. Louis Quatorze was third, 2 lengths behind. Another length back was Editor’s Note who closed a little ground in finishing fourth.

Cigar’s defeat could not realistically be attributed to race tactics, although some observers claimed Bailey waited too long to make to move with his mount. The real story was the ascent of Skip Away, and the recognition that this son of Skip Trial was now of the highest class. There would be no rematch of Skip Away and Cigar in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sonny Hine had not made Skip Away eligible as a foal and refused to pay the $480,000 supplementary fee needed to enter. Despite not competing in the year’s end championship races Skip Away was voted the Eclipse Award for Three Year-old Male Horse in 1996. It would be the first of three championship seasons for the Hines’ color bearer.

(To be continued in part II.)

Starlet Series: Zenyatta, Part II

Starlet Series
Number 1, part II: Zenyatta

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is a continuation of the final entry in my series on the careers of the six best female thoroughbred horses I have observed racing in the years 1959 to the present. This issue concludes the racing campaign of the top ranked Zenyatta.

At the beginning of 2010 excitement in the thoroughbred racing community centered on an anticipated meeting between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. These two mighty females were both undefeated in 2009, and there was much speculation as to who was superior. Recall that Zenyatta’s owners, Ann and Jerry Moss, specifically kept their six year-old in training because they believed Zenyatta, after her dramatic victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic, should have been voted Horse of the Year instead of Rachel Alexandra. The venue for this meeting could not be in California in that Rachel Alexandra’s connections would not race her on a synthetic surface. Oaklawn Park proposed the Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes in mid-April with an augmented purse of $5 million if both Zenyatta and “Rachel” were entered. The track also extended the distance to 9 furlongs. Both starlets had raced successfully at Oaklawn, and, after some negotiation, both camps appeared positive about facing each other.

Both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra appeared in “prep” races on March 13. Rachel ran in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes, a race created for her at the Fair Grounds Racetrack. She was shockingly defeated by a horse whose first name started with the letter “Z” trained by Zenyatta’s conditioner, John Shirreffs.  Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Zardana was a moderately successful six year-old mare that in her career had won stakes races in both her native Brazil and the U. S.  In the Ladies Stakes, Rachel Alexandra, at odds 1-9 cruised to the lead around the final turn but could not fight off the challenge of Zardana in the stretch, losing by ¾ of a length. At Santa Anita, Zenyatta was trying to extend her unbeaten streak to 15 in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap. Carrying 127 lb., she delighted her fans with Zenyatta’s now characteristic dance before a race and thrilled them with another seemingly effortless victory after appearing trapped between horses in the stretch.

In the aftermath of these races, Rachel Alexandra’s connections announced she was not fit enough to run in the Apple Blossom, so Oaklawn officials reduced the purse to its usual $500,000 and celebrated the return of Zenyatta who had won the race in 2008. Facing four hopelessly over matched rivals, the super mare again idled in last place until the final turn and then swept, without much urging, to the lead at the top of the stretch, cantering home by 4¼ lengths.

After her surprise defeat in New Orleans, Rachel Alexandra ran next on Kentucky Oaks Day in the La Troienne Stakes. Again she was heavily favored and again she was beaten, this time by a head to Gary Seidler and Peter Vegso’s Unrivaled Belle. Seemingly “righting the ship”, Rachel Alexandra stayed at Churchill Downs for her next race and ran away with the Fleur de Lis Handicap winning by 10½ lengths. With this victory, reminiscent of her wins last year in the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose Stakes, Rachel appeared back on track for the long anticipated rendezvous with Zenyatta, perhaps in the Breeders’ Cup Classic which this year would be held on conventional dirt at Churchill Downs. 

Zenyatta competed the day after Rachel Alexandra’s Fleur de Lis triumph in the Vanity Handicap. Seeking a repeat victory, the great mare carried a career high impost of 129 lb. She faced a sharp rival in St Trinians (carrying 120 lb.), as well as Rachel Alexandra’s conqueror, Zardana (at 118 lb.). Running her typical race from last, Zenyatta needed nearly all of the Hollywood Park stretch to prevail by a ½ length over St Trinians who had also rallied from the back. Zardana was 6 lengths further back in third. With this victory Zenyatta extended her unbeaten streak to 17.

Continuing what amounted to her farewell tour on the West Coast, Zenyatta competed in two more races, in both cases cutting the winning margin very close. In the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, she overcame a glacial early pace to gain the lead at the top of the stretch (much earlier than usual), and then just held a neck margin over Rinterval to the finish. In the Lady’s Secret Stakes, which she was winning for the third time, she faced Switch who had previously won the Hollywood Oaks. Mike Smith bided his time till the top of the stretch to call upon his mare. However, Switch, after gaining the lead, spurted clear, and for a few seconds there was some doubt as to whether Zenyatta would be able to run her down. But once the champion leveled out to her enormous strides, she closed the gap quickly and at the wire she was a ½ length ahead. This win in her last race in California was an emotional event for all at the racetrack. Particularly poignant was that Penny Chenery, most closely associated with the immortal Secretariat, was there to present the Lady’s Secret winner’s trophy to Ann and Jerry Moss. 

Zenyatta, now 19 for 19, was headed for Churchill Downs to try a repeat victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. There would be no match against Rachel Alexandra. After being upset at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign Stakes to Phipps Stable’s Persistently, Rachel’s owner Jess Jackson announced suddenly in September that Rachel Alexandra would be retired, not due to an injury, but because she had not been able to replicate her 2009 form.

As darkness rolled in on November 6, the stage was set for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zenyatta was the defending champion, but there were many who doubted she would be able to repeat. They cited that this Classic was on conventional dirt (ignoring the fact she had won the Apple Blossom twice over Oaklawn Park’s dirt surface). They also questioned the quality of the females she had been narrowly defeating all year, while in the Classic she would be facing horses such as Quality Road (back this time for another try), Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider’s top four year-old Blame, Preakness Stakes victor Lookin At Lucky, and Jockey Gold Cup hero, Haynesfield. (The critics seemed to forget that Zenyatta defeated a top class international group of horses in last year’s Classic.) Lastly, they pointed that her speed figures were not as high as her Classic rivals’ figures, again not realizing that a come from behind horse such as Zenyatta was only racing fast enough to catch the front runners.

The betting public, ignoring these negatives, installed Zenyatta the even money favorite with sophomore Lookin At Lucky the narrow second choice over Blame. In a race that is etched forever in Breeders’ Cup history, Zenyatta broke slowly in the twelve horse field and found herself last, several lengths behind the eleventh place horse. Down the backstretch, First Dude set the pace with Quality Road, Japanese raced Espoir City, and Haynesfield tracking. In the next group some 4 lengths behind was Looking At Lucky with Blame alongside saving ground under Garrett Gomez, while Zenyatta was still, seemingly languishing, in last place. Around the far turn, the field started bunching up as Quality Road dropped back suddenly and Lookin At Lucky and Blame launched their bid side by side between horses. Meanwhile, Mike Smith took Zenyatta first to the inside around the far turn and then swung her wide for clear running room. In mid-stretch, Blame was pulling clear from Lookin At Lucky with Zenyatta looming on the outside some lengths away. At first, it looked impossible she would be able to run Blame down, then it seemed likely, but in the end, Blame was able to hold off Zenyatta’s charge by a desperate head. Fly Down closed ground to be third, 3½ lengths back with Lookin At Lucky a neck back in fourth while Quality Road retreated to last place.

2010 Breeders' Cup Classic
nytimes.com

The crowd was numb from the dramatic finish, thrilled and sad at the same time. Claiborne Farm’s President Seth Hancock, co-owner of Blame, was quoted as saying, “I’m proud to win the race, but I take no pride in beating Zenyatta. She is awesome, and she’s been great for racing.” Blame deserved the win, but Zenyatta was magnificent in defeat. The day after the Classic, hundreds of fans came to the fence as Zenyatta grazed outside her Churchill Downs barn to pay tribute and present gifts to this magnificent animal even more revered in defeat than in victory.

For the Eclipse Awards, Blame was the Champion Older Male Horse and Zenyatta the corresponding Female. In a contentious voting, Zenyatta outpolled Blame for Horse of the Year. She was retired with a record of 19 wins and 1 second in 20 starts.

At Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, Zenyatta has not had much success as a broodmare. Her first two foals were winless on the racetrack. Her third and fourth offspring died within their first year, and, Zenyatta aborted her fifth foal. However, in 2018 she gave birth to a filly by prominent sire Medaglia d’Oro. Whatever future her progeny forge, Zenyatta’s immortality is intact. Her statuesque presence in repose, her dancing feet before a race, and her thrilling stretch charges remain part of thoroughbred racing’s folklore as one of the greatest horses this country has ever seen.

Starlet Series: Zenyatta, Part I

Starlet Series
Number 1, part I: Zenyatta

Joseph Di Rienzi

This is the fifth of an occasional series on the careers of the six best female thoroughbred horses I have observed racing in the years 1959 to the present. I have chosen these females based on their performances in their respective races. This is my assessment alone and will undoubtedly differ with others’ opinions. This issue, the first of two, discusses the top ranked Zenyatta.

Zenyatta
bloodhorse.com

Zenyatta, foaled in 2004, was named by her co-owner, Jerry Moss, a recording producer, for the music group Police’s album Zenyatta Mondatta. Her incredible racing career began modestly in a 6½ furlong filly and mare maiden race on the artificial dirt surface at Hollywood Park on November 22, 2007. It seemed an ordinary middle of the week race, but what was observed that day was the first start for a legend in the making. Zenyatta, despite being sired by the internationally raced Street Cry and out of the same mare who produced the major stakes winner Balance, was purchased for only $60,000 as a yearling (she had hives). Unraced as a two year-old, trainer John Shirreffs gave her time to grow into her large and lankly frame. Given only lukewarm support (at 5-1) in her maiden outing, Zenyatta broke slowly under jockey David Flores and took what would be her customary position near the rear of the field. Seemingly, too far back and behind a wall of horses at the top of the stretch, Zenyatta was wheeled outside and then with giant strides quickly engulfed the field for an easy 3 length victory in a fast final time. Her owners, Ann and Jerry Moss, who had previously won both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby were about to begin an exhilarating journey with the horse of a lifetime. 

Beginning her stakes career on January 13, 2008 in the 8½ furlong El Encino Stakes for four year-old fillies, Zenyatta again raced last in the early going and swung wide at the top of the stretch. Seemingly with a difficult task to accomplish, the daughter of Street Cry reached out with her enormous strides and engulfed the field for a surprisingly easy 1¾ length victory. 

Beginning her stakes career on January 13, 2008 in the 8½ furlong El Encino Stakes for four year-old fillies, Zenyatta again raced last in the early going and swung wide at the top of the stretch. Seemingly with a difficult task to accomplish, the daughter of Street Cry reached out with her enormous strides and engulfed the field for a surprisingly easy 1¾ length victory.

Some foot issues and bad California weather impacting the synthetic dirt surface at Santa Anita forced Zenyatta to miss intended starts. When she returned to racing, it would be in April on a conventional dirt track in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. In the field was the 2007 Eclipse Award Older Female Champion, Ginger Punch, who, although giving 6 lb. to Zenyatta, was the 2-5 favorite. David Flores had ridden Zenyatta in her 3 previous races, but he elected to stay in California. In his place, trainer John Shirreffs turned to Mike Smith, who once given the mount would never lose it. In what would be a coming out party, Zenyatta, who seemed to be lagging far behind Ginger Punch’s early pace, again mounted her rally around the stretch turn. Once in the clear, Zenyatta just devoured the field for a 4½ length victory. Brownie Points passed Ginger Punch for second place, 3½ lengths in front of the champion. Mike Smith expressed amazement at the ability of his filly to close ground suddenly. Unheralded no longer, Zenyatta from now on would race with the aura of a superstar.

Resisting the temptation to face open company, the team behind Zenyatta was content to continue racing her against her female peers. After her ascension to the top of the older female division as a result of her stunning victory in the Apple Blossom, Zenyatta returned to her home base in California and reeled off victories in the Milady, Vanity and Clement L. Hirsch Handicaps. Only in the Vanity was Zenyatta challenged. Tough Tiz’s Sis came close to Zenyatta in deep stretch, but the Mosses’ filly held that rival safe by a ½ length. In the other two races, she roared down the stretch for easy victories.

Zenyatta had her final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (formerly the Distaff) in the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Santa Anita. She was facing in the four horse field a presumed formidable rival in Hystericalady, who was a close second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Given that Hystericalady had a tactical advantage in terms of early pace, it was thought she could pose a threat to the slow starting Zenyatta. However, just as in all her previous races, Zenyatta just looped along in the early going oblivious to the moderate fractions. Once the 17 hand tall filly was taken to the outside at the top of the stretch by Mike Smith, Zenyatta just rolled home with her ground devouring strides for an easy 3½ length victory over Hystericalady.

Now a two day affair, the last Breeders’ Cup race on the Friday card (run in 2008 at Santa Anita), was by far the most anticipated. The Ladies’ Classic attracted, by all measures, a very strong field of females headed by the towering presence of the undefeated Zenyatta. Her seven rivals included last year’s Distaff winner, Ginger Punch, the strong Godolphin Racing entry of Cocoa Beach and Music Note, Hystericalady, and Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Carriage Trail, runaway winner of the Spinster Stakes on Keeneland Racetrack’s artificial surface. Despite the overall credentials of the field, Zenyatta went off as the 1-2 favorite.

In what was now typical Zenyatta style, she broke last, occupied that same position down the backstretch until Mike Smith asked her for run rounding the far turn. Then she passed horses easily while racing extremely wide around the bend. Once straightened out for the drive, Zenyatta powered home for the victory. Cocoa Beach made a strong rally up the inside in the stretch to gain second, 1½ lengths behind, with a similar margin in front of her stablemate, Music Note. Carriage Trail finished fourth, and Ginger Punch this year could do no better than sixth place.

There were all smiles for the Zenyatta team: Ann and Jerry Moss, John Shirreffs, and Mike Smith. At this point, they realized they were stewards of a racing treasure who had a huge fan base. The Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female assured, the Mosses had no intention of retiring Zenyatta, as Jerry Moss declared, “She’s just too good not to run again.”  

Zenyatta did not have her first start of 2009 till May as she was being prepared for another championship run. Actually, she made her five year-old debut a little later than originally planned. Zenyatta had shipped to Kentucky to run in the Louisville Distaff Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day. However, when the track became wet, she was withdrawn, and trainer John Shirreffs shipped her back to California. Starting about three weeks later in the 8½ furlong Milady Handicap, she showed she was the Zenyatta of the previous year closing powerfully in stretch under 126 lb. for a cozy 1¾ length victory. Finishing second was Zenyatta’s stablemate Life Is Sweet (122 lb.) (owned by Pam and Martin Wygod, but trained by Shirreffs). Stretching out another ½ furlong and now carrying 129 lb. in an attempt to win the Vanity Handicap again, Zenyatta was not placed by Mike Smith as far back as she usually races. Nevertheless, she still closed in the stretch with her ground devouring strides for an in hand 2½ length victory for her 11^th straight triumph.

Less than 30 minutes before Zenyatta’s victory in the Vanity, Rachel Alexandra (see Starlet Series #4) ran in the 9 furlong Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park facing only two others. In her first start since winning the Preakness, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro showed she was in a different league than her sophomore filly peers rolling to a 19¼ length victory in stakes record time. By the end of June, it was clear that the two best racehorses in America were females, one a five year-old (Zenyatta) and the other a three year-old (Rachel Alexandra). Not only did they tower over their contemporaries, but they both drew favorable comparisons with the great females of the past. A meeting between the two was highly anticipated at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, but problematic in that Rachel Alexandra’s principal owner Jess Jackson, fresh off his champion Curlin’s defeat in the 2008 Classic, vowed he would never run his filly on a synthetic surface.

Zenyatta ran in August at Del Mar Racetrack in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and made the race very interesting for her many fans. Sitting back in last place while slow fractional times where being set up front, Mike Smith had to really call on Zenyatta’s closing burst down the stretch to get up in the final strides to win by a head over Anabaa’s Creation with pacesetter Lethal Heat just ¾ of a length further back.

Zenyatta had her final prep for a Breeders’ Cup race in the Lady’s Secret Stakes. Racing against a field that included Life Is Sweet and Cocoa Beach, the gigantic daughter of Street Cry put in her now famous characteristic surge around the stretch turn, and then was gently handled down the stretch to win by 1¼ lengths over Lethal Heat with Cocoa Beach another neck back in third. This victory, Zenyatta’s 13^th in a row, put her even with the great Personal Ensign (see Starlet Series #2) who finished her unbeaten career with a victory in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The Mosses were noncommittal on whether their fabulous mare would attempt to duplicate her success in last year’s Ladies’ Classic or be reserved for the Breeders’ Cup Classic the day after. All that Jerry Moss would confirm was that Zenyatta would be seen next in a Breeders’ Cup race.

In the interim, Rachel Alexandra had won the historic Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack against older male horses, albeit narrowly.  As the result of this unprecedented victory by a filly (a sophomore at that) in the Woodward, Jess Jackson declared that Rachel Alexandra had staked her claim for Horse of the Year and decided to not race her again in 2009.

As in the previous year, the Friday of Breeders’ Cup weekend was devoted to female races with the irony that the most celebrated female in all the Breeders’ Cup entries, Zenyatta, was entered to run the next day in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. (As a footnote, this year’s Ladies Classic was won by the John Shirreffs’ trained Life is Sweet.)

The Breeders’ Cup Classic was the main attraction of the entire Breeders’ Cup weekend due to the presence of Zenyatta in her first start against male horses.  Among the thirteen entries, there were the three leading male sophomores (Kentucky Derby victor Mine That Bird, Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird and Florida Derby winner Quality Road) in the field as well as top older males Gio Ponti and Einstein. Europeans were hoping to duplicate their 1-2 finish in the 2008 Classic this year with Juddmonte Farms’ sturdy four year-old Twice Over and Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s sophomore double group I winner Rip Van Winkle. What this year’s Classic produced was a finish that will be forever remembered.  

As the field approached the starting gate for the Classic with Zenyatta accorded the slight favoritism over Rip Van Winkle, Quality Road became so stirred up he injured himself and was withdrawn. After a delay, the field was sent on their way with Zenyatta, a little unprepared, breaking slowly and assuming the last position on the inside. The pace set by Regal Ransom was not fast as he was tracked by Einstein, Colonel John, and Rip Van Winkle. As the field raced down the backstretch, Mike Smith still had Zenyatta many lengths back, now in eleventh place on the inside. As the field went around the final turn, Smith, elected not to take Zenyatta outside of horses, but instead he had the big mare make up ground on the inside. Near the top of the stretch, the situation for Zenyatta looked hopeless as she was mired in the pack behind several horses. Track announcer, Trevor Denman even exclaimed, “if she wins this, she is a superhorse”. Well that is exactly what she was, as Smith wheeled her quickly to the outside and then, having a path between horses blocked, took her even more outside. Once clear, Zenyatta showed the stuff of greatness and passed all in the stretch for a going away 1 length victory. Again in the words of Denman, “This is Un-Be-Lievable.” Finishing second was Gio Ponti who had a 1¼ length margin on Twice Over. Summer Bird in finishing fourth won the race inside the race for the sophomores with Mine That Bird a non-factor in ninth place.

To say the crowd at Santa Anita was happy at the result was an understatement. The cult of Zenyatta was in full voice at what everyone witnessed. Mike Smith when asked if the still unbeaten Zenyatta was Horse of the Year, boldly proclaimed, “She is the horse of the decade.” The Mosses, Ann and Jerry, were ecstatic but appreciative of the gift of this incredible race mare. Normally reticent John Shirreffs was near tears at the performance of his charge.

In terms of year end honors, Rachel Alexandra was the Three Year-old Filly Champion and Zenyatta, the  Champion Older Female Horse. In a much discussed and debated decision, Horse of the Year went to Rachel Alexandra over Zenyatta, a result I cannot in conscience agree with. The positive outcome to this was that Zenyatta’s owners reconsidered their decision to retire her at the end of 2009, mainly because they wanted her to face Rachel Alexandra on the racetrack.  

(To be continued in part II.)