I had known about her winning streak last year before her Breeders' Cup Classic win, but no female had ever won the Classic so I wasn't sure she could do it. As it turns out, she could. When her owners decided to not retire her and let her race another year, it excited everyone. I've watched all her races this year with excitement and nerves she'd lose once. And everytime she's somehow managed to win. As we all watched Rachel Alexandra's weird year and eventual retirement, everyone's eyes turned to Zenyatta. Oprah profiled her, she was on 60 Minutes, etc. Today was the biggest test of her career and I was hoping she'd win, but also had a fear she couldn't do it.
As the race was about to start, I was pacing. My heart was beating super fast and I was nervous. So nervous I thought I might pass out. I kept saying, "I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't watch. What if she doesn't win?" I was a total mess. The race started and she was last, very far back. She got into some traffic on the turn for home and that's when I knew she was out. But...no...here she came barreling down the home stretch and I'm yelling and screaming and making noise hoping she'd get the final jump. Unforunately, she lost by a head to Blame. A horse I didn't want to win at all. I wouldn't have minded if Lookin' at Lucky (4th and probable 3yo champ) or Quality Road (12th/last and former contender for Horse of the Year/Older male champ) won over her (as much), but it had to be Blame. Blame will now be Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male and Zenyatta will be, once again, older female champ (3rd year in a row).
I try to remember Blame had his year, ran his race, and his owners (Claiborne Farm) are some of my favorite owners (and had Secretariat when he was at stud), but it's hard to get past. She was the best horse in that field. I can't imagine how upset Mike Smith (Zenyatta's jockey) must feel. He's already blaming himself for the loss. It's heartbreaking. She's America's horse and outshone Goldikova (Europe's phenomenal female who won her 3rd straight Turf Mile today -- simply amazing). I was very upset after Zenyatta's loss. This race is her probable last race and she lost. She's 19-1, which is amazing but she missed perfection by a head. If she had another furlong, she would have won. She's still perfect in my mind, but it's sad she couldn't get the 20-0. I think the saddest thing for me about the race's outcome is, even though she only lost by a head, she'll only be considered one of the great female horses and not one of the all-time greats. She still is the only female horse to win the Classic and tied for the longest win-streak in N. America, but she raced mostly on synthetics in California and against females in all but 2 races (one which she lost). Horse racing can be very competitive and the East-West rivalry is still strong, especially with CA's synthetic tracks. She gave us all a ride and brought new fans, but that slight decrease in her "great" ranking bothers me! Logically, it makes sense, but emotionally I don't want it this way!
Anyway, she's still one of the greats in my book and I hope I can be at Hollywood Park for her retirement parade (if they have one). She's a beautiful horse and I'm glad she came out of the race well. I hope Mike Smith can get past the loss (he was tearing up afterwards). I look forward to seeing her babies in the future, but I hope I don't go through this again with another horse! I was/am upset about the loss, but also oh-so-proud of her run. She'll always be Queen Z to me, even with the ache in my heart.
(Pictures get bigger if you click on them)
Look at that face
I love it when her tongue sticks out. She's so gentle for such a big horse (5'8" at the withers or 17.1 hands high)
Famous dance steps she does and look at that dappled coat
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