Zenyatta goes after third Clement L. Hirsch win

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Leading thoroughbred Zenyatta will attempt to notch an 18th straight career win when she starts in Saturday's $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. The six-year-old is undefeated in 17 lifetime starts, including the last two editions of the 1 1/16-mile Hirsch.

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta sits atop the National Thoroughbred Poll after beginning 2010 with three victories. The winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Classic will start Saturday from post five in the six-horse field with regular rider Mike Smith aboard.

Trained by John Shirreffs, the champion mare won the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park in her last start to run her career record to a perfect 17- for-17 with $6,074,580 in earnings.

Zenyatta began her 2010 campaign by winning the Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita Park and followed with a 4 1/4-length win as the 1-20 favorite in Oaklawn Park's Apple Blossom Handicap.

A two-time Eclipse Award winner as champion older female, Zenyatta comes from far off the pace in her starts. Last year she won the Hirsch by a head over Anabaa's Creation as the 1-5 favorite.

Breaking from Zenyatta's inside in the four hole will be Dance to My Tune, runner-up in the Santa Margarita. The six-year-old mare will be ridden by David Flores for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Here is the complete field for the Hirsch in post position order: Princess Taylor, Victor Espinoza; Made for Magic, Omar Berrio; Spring Style, Patrick Valenzuela; Dance To My Tune, David Flores; Zenyatta, Mike Smith and Rinterval, Rafael Bejarano.

The Clement L. Hirsch has a scheduled post-time of 9:15 p.m. (et).