There were a lot of firsts this past weekend at the Oak Tree
meeting. It was the first time a crowd had exceeded 25,000 since 2001,
it was the first time a filly or mare had won three consecutive
runnings of the Lady’s Secret (G1), it was the first time a horse had
won eight consecutive Grade 1 events in North America and it was the
first time the probable post time favorite for the Breeders’ Cup
Classic would enter with a perfect 19 for 19 record.
But it would be the last time that the great Zenyatta would race in the state of California where she has had so much success.
She came into this year’s Lady’s Secret looking better than ever.
It’s hard to believe a 6-year-old mare could be peaking at this stage
of her career but that may just be the case. Having followed her since
her maiden victory three years ago, she made huge impression schooling
in the paddock on Thursday afternoon, 48 hours prior to her history
making 19-0 record.
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