Photo: Hollywood Park
Zenyatta, who ran her unbeaten streak to 17 with a
stirring victory in the Vanity Handicap on June 13, was voted Horse of the Meet
in the annual media poll as the 57-day spring-summer season concluded Sunday.
Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, trained by John
Shirreffs and ridden by Mike Smith, Zenyatta has now been selected Horse of the
Meet the last three years, the third horse to achieve the honor, but the first
female. The others are Lava Man (2005-07) and Native Diver (1965-67).
Zenyatta was also voted the top older female.
The 6-year-old Street Cry mare, carrying 129 pounds,
was able to overtake St Trinians in the closing yards for an unprecedented
third win in a row in the Grade 1 Vanity.
Other unanimous winners were Hollywood Juvenile
Championship and Willard L. Proctor Memorial hero J P’s Gusto as 2-year-old and
2-year-old male, Landaluce heroine Dawnie Macho as 2-year-old filly and Tuscan
Evening, who won the Gamely Stakes, as the female turf horse and Alex Gonzalez
as apprentice jockey.
American Oaks winner Harmonious was selected
outstanding 3-year-old filly while Skipshot, who upset Sidney’s
Candy in the Swaps Stakes, was chosen 3-year-old male.
Other thoroughbred winners were Acclamation, who went
wire-to-wire in both the Jim Murray and Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicaps,
as turf horse, Hollywood Gold Cup winner Awesome Gem as older male, Triple Bend
Handicap winner E Z’s Gentleman as sprinter and Isle Of Giant’s, a two time
winner for Davonne Stables, Inc. and trainer Ben Cecil, as claiming horse.
Besides Gonzalez, the other human winners were Bob
Baffert (trainer) and Joel Rosario, who won his third consecutive riding title
at Hollywood Park,
including the 2009 fall meet, as jockey.