In the wake of what many consider to be the most dramatic performance in
Breeders’ Cup history, the Oak Tree Racing Association has announced that the
undefeated superstar mare Zenyatta, a devastating last-to-first winner of the
million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 7, will be honored by having the
name of the race she won in both 2008 and 2009, the Lady’s Secret S. (G1),
renamed the Zenyatta, effective next year.
The Lady’s Secret, which was inaugurated in 1993, is for fillies and mares
and run at 1 1 1/16 miles.
“When the history books are written, we feel that what Zenyatta accomplished
here on November 7 will go down as one of the all-time great achievements in
American racing,” Oak Tree Director and Executive Vice President Sherwood
Chillingworth said.
“Lady’s Secret was a great mare herself. She won the (Breeders’ Cup) Distaff
(G1) here in 1986 and went on to be named Horse of the Year, but what Zenyatta
did here against the best horses in the world is something none of us who
witnessed it will ever forget.
“It is particularly appropriate, in that she won the Lady’s Secret two years
in a row, and like Lady’s Secret we feel strongly that Zenyatta should be Horse
of the Year. Her brilliance is undeniable and we are proud to rename this
prestigious race in her honor.”
Lady’s Secret was owned by the late Eugene Klein and his wife Joyce, and she
was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Zenyatta, who has been retired, is owned by Jerry
and Ann Moss and was trained by John Shirreffs.
“At first, Jerry was reluctant to accept our offer of renaming the race,
because he was a personal friend of Gene Klein,” Chillingworth added. “But after
he and Ann thought about it for a couple of days, he called back and said they
thought Zenyatta would be flattered by the comparison and to know that she was
held in such high esteem.”
After winning the 2008 Lady’s Secret, Zenyatta went on to win the Breeders’
Cup Ladies Classic (G1) and was subsequently named champion older female.
Zenyatta’s win in the Classic climaxed a perfect 14-for-14 record and boosted
her career bankroll to $5,474,580.
Oak Tree’s 42nd fall race meeting begins in September 2010.