This year’s Breeder’s Cup is what I like to call; “back to the basics” races. After two years in California on Santa Anita’s polytrack racing surface, the Cup races return to Kentucky and Churchill Downs . Nothing could be better than thoroughbred racing’s championship races determined on a natural dirt surface. It’s been a long time since we had the best horses in the world; compete on a dry dirt surface. Hopefully, unlike in 2007 the last time the Breeder’s Cup was competed on a “real” dirt race track at Monmouth when the two day event was raced on an “off track” surface. But, we all know just how a late Fall day can be in Louisville. B ut for the sport to return the “basics” we know and love, the conditions will hopefully be perfect and dry.
This will be a major key for all the horses, but especially for a certain runner hopefully making history on November 6th. This gal will be defending her Breeder’s Cup Classic championship that she earned last year at Santa Anita on its polytrack surface. Zenyatta looks to keep in tact her undefeated streak and retire an undefeated champion in retaining her title as the best horse in the world. Even with winning this same race last year, she might have been the “best horse” in the world at that time. But, “Horse of the Year” honors went to Rachel Alexandra. This year; Rachel has been retired, Zenyatta is STILL undefeated and the great equalizer, natural dirt is standing in her way for a repeat. But, what if the real stuff comes up as an “off track” on that Saturday afternoon?
Like many questioned last week when Rachel Alexandra was retired coming off two bullet workouts, people have question now if it’s wise to continue on with Zenyatta anymore if the Churchill Downs racing surface comes up anything but “fast” in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Is there worth the chance of injury for this one last time running her on what could be a surface she had never raced on before. While we won’t know just what the track will be like then, the question comes up if it’s worth this last time out to take the risk on injury just for history to be made again?
A year and a half ago during Kentucky Derby week, Zenyatta was scheduled to race on an undercard stake over the Churchill Downs strip. She never made the trip to Louisville and the track on Derby weekend did come up sloppy. It won’t be the “non-off track” racing surface she is used to in California on their synthetic products. It will be the only third time ever that Zenyatta has set foot on a racing surface other than a synthetic one. While she is two for two over the Oaklawn dirt surface, Churchill Downs is much different and even more so if the surface is “off”.
This mare has thrilled us throughout her career with her dramatic “off the pace” late closing running style. She puts us on the edge of our seat everytime she races. Now, she tries to duplicate something again, but under different circumstances this year. But, unlike what occurred with Rachel Alexandra leaving us with an empty; unfulfilled feeling with her somewhat surprising retirement, Zenyatta will go forward. Take a chance in making history once again, going into the race on a surface that she has never raced on before. Trying to gain something that slightly eluded her last year. The “Horse of the Year” honors she narrowly missed. If she chooses to go (and she should) and win once again this year; Zenyatta will be that "horse of the decade" and no one will be able to take that title away from her this year. She will have closed the deal!
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