A
vocal and appreciative crowd of 11,216 bid farewell to Zenyatta as the
brilliant 6-year-old mare made her final public appearance Sunday at Hollywood Park.
After
spending some time in the paddock, the daughter of Street Cry, who finished her
racing career with 19 wins in 20 starts and more than $7.3 million in earnings,
was paraded in front of the grandstand and the clubhouse area.
Then,
brought to the winner’s circle, a place she visited eight times at her home
track, Zenyatta was joined by a large gathering of media, photographers and
assorted others, including those closest to her.
This
group included owners Jerry and Ann Moss, trainer John Shirreffs, assistant
trainer Michelle Jensen, racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, Hall of Fame
jockey Mike Smith, who was aboard for her final 17 starts, exercise rider Steve
Willard, groom Mario Espinoza, hot walker Carmen Zamona and pony boy Fred
Wilson.
During
a brief ceremony, Zenyatta was honored with a personalized Los Angeles Dodgers
jersey (#10) by Lou Johnson, the former player who now serves as both the
team’s community relations liaison as well as a member of the speakers bureau.
In addition, Anita Mannila, representing Las Profesionales, presented Zenyatta
a blanket.
Zenyatta,
who earned the first of 19 consecutive wins Nov. 22, 2007 at Hollywood Park,
then returned to her stable. She will leave early Monday morning for Kentucky and her new
life as a broodmare at Lane’s End Farm.
About
one hour later, Washington Bridge, an improving 3-year-old filly, rallied from
last in the final eighth of a mile to defeat a field comprised almost entirely
of her elders to win the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap.
The
mild surprise by Washington
Bridge, the 5-1 fourth
choice, helped trigger a Pick Six carryover of $95,806 when racing resumes
Thursday. Post time is 12:30 p.m. The Pick Six will begin in the third race.
The
win was the third in a row for Washington
Bridge, a daughter of Yankee Gentleman
and the Prized mare Stirling
Bridge. Owned by Mark
DeDomenico and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, Washington Bridge
has five wins in 18 starts. She has earned $221,089.
Ridden
by Rafael Bejarano, Washington
Bridge paid $12, $6.40
and $4.40. Shge completed the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track in 1:44.25. She
is the fourth 3-year-old in five years to win the Grade II, joining Foxysox
(2006), Romance Is Diane (2007) and Briecat (2008).
The
victory was first in a graded race for the Kentucky bred and she is 2-for-2 over
Cushion Track. She had won the restricted Life Is Sweet Stakes Nov. 12 in her
initial collaboration with Bejarano.
“Sometimes
the horse gets the idea, turns around and starts doing things right,’’ said
Hollendorfer. “This is the third time in a row that she put it all together.
“She
was very nervous earlier in her career, but she’s settled down quite a bit
lately. We just took our time, schooled her a lot and stood her at the gate a
lot.
“The
way that Rafael was riding her, I thought when she was sitting back there that
he felt quite confident. Once she unleashed her run she had a nice turn of
foot. For now we’ll probably keep her and Blind Luck separated.’’
Sister
Dawn, the pacesetter who opened up 2 ½ lengths with a furlong to go, held
second, one length in front of Zardana, the 2-1 choice and defending champion.
Sister Dawn paid $13.40 and $7. The show price on the favorite was $3.20.
Silver
Swallow finished fourth, 1 ¼ lengths behind Zardana, then came Wynning Ride,
Sweet August Moon and Lady Railrider. It Tiz was scratched.
The
eventful Sunday also included the 2,000th victory of Hall of Fame
trainer Bob Baffert’s career. He reached the milestone when Free Pourin went
gate-to-wire in the third, a $38,400 race for 2-year-old maidens.
Owned
and bred by Mike Pegram, one of the driving forces behind Baffert’s successful
transition to thoroughbreds from quarter horses, the Roman Ruler colt defeated
Tokubetsu, also trained by Baffert, by three-quarters of a length. Free Pourin,
who paid $11.60, was ridden by Joe Talamo, giving the jockey three consecutive
wins.
Baffert,
57, has had 9,354 starters in his career. The Arizona native ranks sixth all time among
trainers with stable earnings – through Dec. 4 – of $155,109,369. He’s won nine
Triple Crown races, seven Breeders’ Cup events and has 29 victories worth $1
million or more.