Weekend Updates From Del Mar and Saratoga Racetracks
by Patricia Woo | Aug 9 2010
Two big races were run on Saturday, Aug. 7 at
Del Mar and
Saratoga Racetracks. At Del Mar, undefeated Zenyatta was seeking her 18th straight career victory in the
$300,000 Gr. 1 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, while at Saratoga, two of racing's top older males were going head-to-head in the
$750,000 Gr. 1 Whitney Handicap.
In one of her final preps for the
2010 Breeder's Cup Classic, 6-year-old Zenyatta was looking to claim her 18th straight victory in the Clement L. Hirsch Handicap, a race she had won twice before. Five rivals stood in her way – but none were expected to mount much of a challenge. Rinterval, a 5-year-old mare ridden by Rafael Bejarano, went straight to the lead in the 1 1/16 mile race and was stalked early on by Dance to My Tune and Princess Taylor. Ridden by regular jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta bided her time in fifth but stayed much closer to the pace than she normally would. She was not hampered by the pedestrian pace, choosing the upper stretch to make her signature move five-wide; she took over the lead mid-stretch. Rinterval mounted a surprising late rally but Zenyatta fended her off, capturing the title and her 18th consecutive victory by a comfortable neck. Trained by John Shirreffs, the Street Cry mare stopped the clock at 1:45.03 and earned $180,000 for the win, boosting her career earnings to $6,254,580. Rinterval, Princess Taylor, Spring Style, Dance to My Tune and Made for Magic rounded out the order of finish.
Zenyatta may turn up next at
Belmont Park for the Gr. 1 Beldame Stakes on Oct. 2 as her final prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at
Churchill Downs where she will attempt to defend her title.
Two highly rated Thoroughbreds were also in action on the west coast on Saturday: Quality Road and Blame were in action in the $750,000 Gr. 1 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. Sent off as the race favorite, 4-year-old Quality Road with John Velazquez aboard, claimed the lead from fast-breaking Haynesfield and Musket Man (with Rajiv Maragh aboard) soon after the break. Meanwhile, Blame and Garrett Gomez hung back in fourth along the rail. Quality Road seemed to have the win in hand as the race moved out of the final turn, despite solid efforts by Musket Man and Haynesfield to catch him. But Blame had another gear still and steadily began making up ground. He drew even in the final strides and inched in front for a thrilling finish that saw him take the victory by a mere head.
Blame, a 4-year-old son of Arch, continues to impress this season with his third straight win of the year. Trained by Albert Stall, Jr., Blame earned $450,000 with the victory and increased his career total to $1,518,214. He has secured a berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic where he could face undefeated champion Zenyatta in November.
Quality Road suffered his first loss of the year, snapping a three-race win streak that included two grade 1 races. Trained by Todd Pletcher, this son of Elusive Quality also has the Breeders' Cup Classic as a year-end goal.
Following Quality Road to the wire were Musket Man, Haynesfield, Mine That Bird and Jarkim.
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