Zenyatta’s bid for racing immortality fell inches short in the gloaming at Churchill Downs on Saturday, where Blame held tenaciously through the final furlong to register a heart-stopping short head victory
over the previously undefeated thoroughbred superstar in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Blame, a four-year-old son of Arch, is trained by Al Stall Jr. for Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm. He was ridden to victory by Garrett Gomez. The winner completed the 1-1/4 miles in 2:02.28 and paid $12.40.
Blame saved ground while racing about a half-dozen lengths off the early lead, moved between horses to gain command inside the eighth pole, shook off Lookin At Lucky near midstretch to open a clear lead, and then was fully extended to narrowly withstand Zenyatta’s final surge.
Zenyatta, who had won all 19 of her previous starts, lagged nearly 20 lengths off the early leaders, saved some ground while beginning to advance around the second turn, swung outside to continue her bid into the stretch, and was gaining steadily on the winner through the final furlong, only to fall just short of victory.
Fly Down rallied from well back to out finish Lookin At Lucky to be third.
“I thought she was going to get there,” said Jerry Moss, who owns Zenyatta in partnership with his wife Ann. “She lost to a really great horse.”
A teared-up Mike Smith said he did not get the best of trips that began with Zenyatta getting squeezed at the break.
“She responded really, really well but my hat’s off to Blame,” Smith said. “I needed him to fold, but he didn’t. It’s a tough one to swallow. It’s my fault. She should have won.”
(Breeders Cup/DRF)
Give Blame kudos though as
Give Blame kudos though as he really raced a great mile and beat a legend.
Feel so bad for Zenyatta's connections, but then again for Blames's connections,so impressed, as he just dug in and held on.In a perfect world Zenyatta would have got up as The Beach would have held on,but I do believe the best races of both were in defeat.
Wow,horseracing in general has never been so exciting in many decades and thats why I believe this sport will make a comeback and survive and prosper.
Amen
Just like
Just like Somebeachsomewhere,sometimes they lose to a great,gutsy and sometimes unbelieveable mile by another.She is the greatest thouroughbred I have seen in my 49 years as The Beach was in standardbred racing.I was on the edge of my seat screaming for her at home alone and have not lost any respect nor admiration for her as she gave it her all each and every time.
What a horse/legend.
I can't believe how so many
I can't believe how so many people do not give Blame the credit he deserves. I am not knocking Zenyatta. She is a very good if not great hose. However watch the rwce again people. Yes Zenyatta came from far back.That is her style which has worked so well for her in the past so why complain about it now. Watch the race right after the wire and do a frame by frame stop. You will see blame is still ahead at least 20 feet after the wire because like most good horses when he cauht Zenyatta coming in his reaer view mirror he fought back like a true champion does. Blame came from pretty far back as well. At least 12 lengths back. Yes Zneyatta was 18 lengths back but throughout the race she was only about 5 or 6 back of Blame. Both riders knew that the horses at the front would be coming back and stayed behind to make their runs late. Zenyatta had to make up about 5 or 6 on Blame which is the same amount of lenghts she always has to make up in her races. But this time she could not do it because she ran into a much better horse then she had ever met before. We hear all the talk about how Smith moved to late. Well it could be argued that Garrett Gomez moved a fraction too early. If he waits another second and then makes his run he wins by a length at least.
Bottom line is both jockeys timed their move for where the wire was. Ten feet after or ten feet before doesn't matter. Zenyatta had a full 1 and a quarter to beat Blame and this time just couldn't do it. Does it mean she is not a great horse. Of course not. Great horses will take turns beating each other. This time Blame beat her and he should be horse of the year easily. He has beaten the likes of Quality Road (twice), he has beaten Zenyatta in theeir only meeting and he has won major grade 1 stake races all year. What more does he have to do.
We saw a great race from tow great horses on Saturday. Let's take the emotions out of it and give credit where credit is due. Blame is a great horse too. He is 11 wins og 13 lifetime starts. Thats is ntohing to sneeze at.
Joe R
It was like a punch in the
It was like a punch in the stomach watching her fall just short. But, I agree, she only added to her reputation with an unbelievable effort against the best male horses in the world!
One of the gutsyiest runs
One of the gutsyiest runs I've ever seen. With the trip she had Blame was lucky for a head win as it could have been a head loss is she had shook free 10 yards earlier! Way to go girl!!!
Oh so close Queen Z!!! not
Oh so close Queen Z!!!
not too worry we still love you, hope you have a great retirement.
Marie Stoyles-Moura
SURE was an EXCITING FINISH
SURE was an EXCITING FINISH WITH SO MANY FOLLOWERS. NOW ON THE HUMOUR SIDE,( THEY WON'T ) HAVE TO SET A STUD FEE ON HER RETIREMENT. It will be interesting to see who they will BREED HER TO. Ken Myers
Like the Beach she had one
Like the Beach she had one loss by a head and off a very tough trip where she had to over come a lot in the race plus do it against the males. A single loss by a head does not take away from how good she was and how good the Beach was. These two deserve to be in the conversation of the best of all time along with Niatross and Secretariat.
She did herself proud. No
She did herself proud. No shame there at all. Way to go girl!