Zenyatta takes Lady's Secret

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Zenyatta did it again Saturday at Hollywood Park. The undefeated mare scored her 19th consecutive win in the Grade 1 Lady's Secret Stakes, reeling in Switch in the deep stretch and winning by a half-length.

The next stop for Zenyatta is the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, where the 6-year-old mare is expected to conclude her amazing career.

In the 1 1/16-mile Lady's Secret, Zenyatta ($2.20) took up her customary running position at the back of the five-horse field while Moon de French set the pace.

Jockey Mike Smith guided Zenyatta into striking position five lengths from the lead at the three-eighths pole and stayed wide through the far turn while moving into third position.

Turning into the stretch, Switch took over, cut for home and opened up. Zenyatta initially appeared to be in trouble but she leveled off the final eighth, made the lead with less than 20 yards remaining and drew away in 1:42.97.

Switch held second. It was 4¾ lengths back to Moon de French and Satans Quick Chick, who dead-heated for third. Emmy Darling finished last.

The field was reduced to five starters after the late scratch of Rinterval. Runner-up to Zenyatta when they met Aug. 7 at Del Mar, Rinterval flipped in the paddock and was scratched.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe