Zenyatta's Defeat In 2010 Breeders Cup Classic Under Jockey Mike Smith

by Dale Jermyn
(Cantonment, Fl)

Zenyatta Wins The Lady's Secret Stakes

If Mike Smith on the outside in the stretch had not veered Zenyatta in next to Blame and kept her straight would she have won?

By veering In I assume it covers more ground therefore slows horse down a bit and if stayed on straight projection may have won?

Did she naturally veer in or did he guide her there. Could he have kept her on a straight course?

Answer: It has to be said that Zenyatta was vulnerable in this race;

Her win in the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic was the only previous time she had raced against male horses. A number of horses in the 2010 race were considered superior to the previous year.

She had very little experience of racing on a traditional dirt surface as most of her races took place in California which uses synthetic dirt surfaces.

Her jockey Mike Smith admitted he had not given her the best of rides. Blame was able to get into a good position just off the pace and was able to get to the front without problems.

Whereas Zenyatta, at that point, was faced with a wall of horses and Mike Smith was forced to weave around them to chase Blame.

She did well to get so close to Blame at the finish and it is very likely that if she had been better positioned in the race she may well have got her head in front.