Zenyatta in bid for horse of the year.

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Classy Zenyatta has chance to strut her stuff


Preview: USA, Sunday

Del Mar: Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (Grade 1) 1m½f, 3yo+, fillies' and mares, all-weather (1:30am)

A WEEK ago it was Rachel Alexandra's time to shine in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and now it is unbeaten Zenyatta, going for her 12th career victory, who regains the spotlight in US racing as the two continue their battle for Horse of the Year honours.

While Rachel Alexandra defeated KentuckyDerby winner Mine that Bird and Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, among others last week, the John Shirreffs-trained Zenyatta has her capable stablemate Life Is Sweet, third in the Hollywood Gold Cup against males last time, as the one to beat.

Zenyatta defeated Life Is Sweet in the Milady Handicap at Hollywood Park in May, and there is little, if indeed any, reason to believe she will not do it again in theHirsch.

"She's just amazing, without a doubt," jockey Mike Smith said of the unbeaten distaff champion. "Hopefully, she just runs her race," he added of the 2-5 morning-line favourite.

Shirreffs said: "You look for repeatable performances in a horse. We figured it out, just keep her happy."

He said of Life Is Sweet: "She has the same style as Zenyatta, and I don't know if it can be any different."

Just three other horses in the field of ten are stakes winners, and not all of them are sure to start.

Trainer Richard Mandella has three-time turf winner Patricia's Gem (Victor Espinoza) entered, but shemay not run.

"There are a couple of reasons not to," he said in obvious reference to Zenyatta and Life Is Sweet.

I'm no sand racing expert but I would LOVE to see Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta lock horns on a race track. I surely cannot remember a more eagerly awaited clash than this one in recent memory.

Maybe we should send a petition from South Africa signed by all of us on ABC telling the owners we think they should run them against one another!!!

Think they will listen?

No Tommy.

lol

do anybody watch the program "jockeys" on 264 on friday night? this week we see zenyatta win the breeders cup race. looks like a champion and i am not surprised she is unbeaten. if she can beat rachel alexander is another question

Have been watching Mike, a great show.