Review of Breeders' Cup Classic Race 2009

What an extraordinary race the American mare Zenyatta ran in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday evening. She looked virtually tailed off early on and then showed a tremendous turn of foot to catch and pass the entire field and win with her ears pricked as pictured. Rip Van Winkle was hugely disappointing. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh were very bullish beforehand but Rip Van Winkle folded very tamely as though he had had enough for the season. He had been on the go as long as Sea the Stars but run one race less. Twice Over ran great to be third but he was probably only about two lengths behind Zenyatta. In my opinion an in form Sea the Stars would have won this race, but obviously connections did not want to take the chance that he would have been over the top for the season. Zenyatta was sensational and is America's version of Sea the Stars. For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".