Zenyatta Takes the Crown

History has been made with Zenyatta being the first mare to ever win the Breeders Cup Classic. This is a remarkable mare that has a perfect 14 for 14 record and the way she did it was almost as amazing as that she did it at all.

She crossed the finish line not only having passed the best horses in the world (which is what Breeders Cup Day was destined to bring!) but she did it drawing off, ears forward, still not tapped for everything she can give. She was pulling and even as she was unsaddled looked ready to go again.

The 5 year old daughter of Street Cry out of the Kris S mare Vertingineux was purchased in 2005 as a yearling in Keeneland for $60,000. There have been many great mares compete in the Breeders Cup races and indeed last year Zenyatta won the Ladies Classic. What was there left to do after a stellar season?

Take on the boys. The Grade I Breeders Cup Classic was a no-lose situation for her. If she lost she's still the best older mare in the country. She seemingly didn't think of losing. The race was marred by Quality Road's acting up at the gate and being scratched before the race. The long wait of the other horses in the race meant they were backed out, delaying the start of the race. This can rattle a horse that is used to routine.

The beautiful Thoroughbred mare trained by John Shirreffs and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss has dominated her division and won a trip to the Breeders Cup with a perfect campaign this year including winning the Lady's Secret Stakes.

She's been criticized that she hasn't faced much. She's been discounted as hyped but she silenced all in a move that left hardened horsemen with tears in their eyes at seeing a very special mare dominate the best the world has to offer in southern California. She loves to run, she'd earned $630,000 this year before the Breeders Cup start.

The crowd of nearly 59,000 cheered for a superstar in a horse's coat that could care little about money. Her demeanor after and during the races shows this is what racing is about. It's not about the betting - it's which horse is fastest. She's answered this every time out and blew past the Kentucky Derby winner and the best Europe sent over to come from 15 lengths back and win. This is history.

She's earned Horse of the Year.