11-07-2010, 11:34 AM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — So close, yet so far.
In the most heart-stopping and heartbreaking finish in Breeders’ Cup history, the mighty Zenyatta came flying through the stretch in yesterday’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, but fell short by a head to Blame in her quest for a “Perfect 20” in front of a crowd of 72,739.
It’s a timeworn racing axiom: “They all get beat.” And the “Queen Z” finally joined that club after winning her first 19 starts with relentless late runs. Off slowly in the mile-and-a-quarter Classic, the 6-year-old super mare dropped far back in the pack again, advanced into contention down the backside, weaved through horses on the turn for home, then punched it in down the stretch.
But the 4-year-old colt Blame, a horse for the course (now 4-for-5) at Churchill, had rallied to a clear lead inside the final furlong and hung on desperately to win under Garrett Gomez.
“It’s my fault, she should have won,” said a teary-eyed Mike Smith, Zenyatta’s longtime jockey. “She’s my everything. I truly believe I was on the best horse today. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s me.
“My hat’s off to Blame. I needed him to fold, but he didn’t. He hung in tough. I just wished I would have been in the race a little earlier. The result would have been different.”
Blame is bred and owned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm, the legendary stud farm in the heart of Kentucky bluegrass country that is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.
The son of Arch came into the Classic off a four-length loss to Haynesfield (11th of 12 in the Classic) as the 4-5 favorite in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but before that rattled off five straight stakes wins dating to Oct. 2009. He’ll now be retired to stand at Claiborne with a record of nine wins, two seconds and two thirds from 13 starts, with $4,368,214 in earnings.
Said trainer Al Stall Jr., “It’s one of those rare things where everything comes together once, but that’s what it takes to win a race of this magnitude.”
And how did it feel to beat Zenyatta, one of the most popular racehorses of our time?
“It’s mixed emotions because she’s been a wonderful ambassador of the game,” Gomez said. “People that didn’t know anything about horse racing became fans because of her.
“She’s an amazing racehorse, to plainly put it. She’s awesome. I wish she would have went 20 for 20 at the expense of someone else and not us. I’m very proud to say we beat her.”
“I take no pride in beating Zenyatta,” said Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm. “She’s been great for racing. I’m sorry we had to beat her because she is something special.”