Zenyatta rallies in stretch to beat boys in Breeders' Cup Classic, improves to 14-0

Associated Press

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 6:13 PM

ARCADIA, Calif. - Zenyatta has beaten the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, running her record to 14-0 in a race delayed briefly when Quality Road bucked violently in the starting gate.

Zenyatta rallied from last in the early going and fought off Gio Ponti in the stretch to win by a length Saturday at Santa Anita, beating a loaded field of 11 males.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the 5-year-old mare ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.62 and paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 wagering favorite of the 58,845 fans.

Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while Britain-bred Twice Over paid $7 to show.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was ninth, extending his losing streak to five straight since his 50-1 upset on the first Saturday in May. Irish import Rip Van Winkle was 10th.

Quality Road was scratched from the race.