Zenyatta perfect in Breeders' Cup

ARCADIA, Calif., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Zenyatta rallied from last to win Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, dramatically posting her 14th straight victory against a top international field.

With supporters waving "Girl Power" signs and the crowd cheering her as the local favorite, Zenyatta came widest of all into the stretch and ran past a stellar field to win by 1 length. At the wire, she seemed ready for more.

Gio Ponti, the Arlington Million winner, was second. Twice Over, a star in England, finished third and Summer Bird, winner of the Belmont Stakes, finished fourth.

The smashing win gives Zenyatta a legitimate shot at "Horse of the Year" -- an honor earlier seemingly sewed up by Rachel Alexandra, who skipped the Breeders' Cup.

"There are tears coming to my eyes," said winning trainer John Shirreffs. "I can't believe it. She is a great, great filly. She is all heart.

"The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They cheered for her, they clapped for her, they love her. What a wonderful relationship."

Asked if the victory should translate into Horse of the Year honors, he said, "You tell me."

After a long delay at the start caused by Quality Road's refusal to enter the gate, Zenyatta broke last, trailing even Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Under jockey Mike Smith, she was content to race near the rear of the 12-horse field until nearing the end of the backstretch.

At that point, she kicked into gear and -- just as she had in 13 previous victories, all against fillies and mares -- ran by all the competition.

Zenyatta is expected to be retired and will go into the record books as one of the greatest race mares of all time.

Before Saturday's race, support for Zenyatta was strongest on the West Coast, where she ran all but one of her races, and among women, who lined up behind her this year with pink and light blue "Girl Power" signs.

Shirreffs and owners Jerome and Ann Moss agonized over whether to put their star's unbeaten record on the line in the Classic or to try for a repeat victory in Friday's $2 million Ladies' Classic.

Only after watching her train superbly on her home track a week ago did they decide to roll the dice for the big prize.

All four of her previous starts this year came in California and she was tested only once -- a head victory in the Clement Hirsch two races back at Del Mar.