THE 2009 BREEDERS’ CUP

For the first time, the Breeders’ Cup returned to the same racetrack in consecutive years as Santa Anita once again played host to racing’s most prestigious global event. There was great anticipation for the 2009 races because the undefeated Zenyatta was entered into the Classic by trainer John Shirreffs, and would face the world’s best male horses. On Friday, Shirreffs won the Ladies’ Classic again, this time with the 4-year-old filly Life is Sweet. The Europeans continued their love for California by winning the Marathon with Man of Iron and the Filly & Mare Turf with Midday. On Saturday, Goldikova repeated in the Mile and Conduit also completed back-to-back scores in the Turf. In the Classic, Zenyatta turned for home with a wall of horses in front of her. Mike Smith moved her off the rail and down the center of the racetrack, and before the deafening roar of the grandstand crowd, she shifted into another gear, sweeping to victory by a length over Gio Ponti. Zenyatta‘s victory, the first ever by a female in the Classic, is considered by many to be the greatest moment in the history of the Breeders’ Cup.