Zenyatta remained undefeated while taking her fifteenth consecutive victory in the Santa Margarita Stakes today at Santa Anita Park. It was not a simple walk in the park for Zenyatta though.
Less than a half hour after Rachel Alexandra was shocked in the New Orleans Ladies', Zenyatta looked like she may suffer a similar fate when she had absolutely nowhere to go at the top of the stretch. The champion's undefetaed streak looked in jeopardy as Mike Smith began shifting Zenyatta inside and outside, desperately searching for room, before finally bursting through at the rail at striking the lead just inside the 1/8 pole.
Dance To My Tune set the pace early, and the 51-1 shot was two lengths clear at the top of the stretch. Despite having everything her own way she just wasn't strong enough down the stretch to hold off Zenyatta who, despite Mike Smith's pre-race claims stating the champion may be closer to the pace than usual, settled into last early. Dance To My Tune did hold onto second by a nose over Floating Heart, who was also forwardly placed early. Striking Dancer rounded out the superfecta in front of Pretty Unusual, Made For Magic, Pretty Katherine, and Gripsholm Castle.
Zardana is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss. She covered the 1 1/8 mile distance of the Santa Margarita in 1:48.20