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Zenyatta improves to 14-0 with BC Classic win

November 08, 2009, 11:17 AM Post Comments
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Zenyatta improves to 14-0 with BC Classic win

Zenyatta has beaten the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, running her record to 14-0 in a race delayed briefly when Quality Road bucked violently in the starting gate.

Zenyatta rallied from last in the early going and fought off Gio Ponti in the straight to win by a length on Saturday at Santa Anita, beating a loaded field of 11 males.

Ridden by U.S. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the 5-year-old mare ran 1 1/4 miles (2,000 meters) in 2:00.62 and paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 wagering favorite of the 58,845 fans.

Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while British-bred Twice Over paid $7 to show.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was ninth, extending his losing streak to five straight since his 50-1 upset win in May. Irish import Rip Van Winkle was 10th.

Quality Road was scratched from the race.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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