Magical Zenyatta chalks up 19th win
Just under 29,000 racegoers were shoehorned into the Californian venue as the remarkable six-year-old showed her trademark determination to land the Lady’s Secret Stakes by half a length.
She will now head for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is likely to be her final racecourse outing, on the crest of a wave.
“She digs down every time and has so much heart,” exclaimed trainer John Shirreffs.
“She’s done some amazing things the last 16th of a mile – her heart must be huge.”
Meanwhile, Godolphin enjoyed another super Saturday in America when securing Grade One triumphs at Hollywood Park and Belmont Park.
Hibaayeb set the ball rolling in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Hollywood, while Girolamo claimed a first success at the highest level in the Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont.
The former teed up a potential raid at the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf by taking the Yellow Ribbon by a length.
Bin Suroor’s Girolamo revelled in a drop in trip to win the Vosburgh by two and a half lengths.
Although the Belmont Grade One is a recognised trial for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, he could instead run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on dirt.
