Beholder towers over rivals in Zenyatta Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – One thing trainer Richard Mandella never has seen in horse racing is a slam dunk.
“I haven’t found any automatics,” he said. “[Stuff] happens. I am never going to say it’s easy.”
Beholder makes it look easy, though, and she is expected to do so again Saturday in the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita. Beholder, whom Mandella trains for owner B. Wayne Hughes, will use the filly-and-mare race to prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with only one caveat from Mandella regarding the Zenyatta.
“It’s got to be a good race,” he said. “But I wouldn’t run her if I didn’t think she was ready.”
Mandella said the same thing prior to Beholder’s last start – a romping win over colts in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Since then, she has trained superbly and looked happy, and she seems ready to deliver another top performance in a stakes she has won the past two years.
Eight other fillies and mares probably are running for second money, including Grade 1 winner My Sweet Addiction, trained by Marty Jones.
“She’s training good,” he said. “I don’t know if she’s training good enough to beat Beholder.”
Warren’s Veneda, also a Grade 1 winner, makes her first start since a foot bruise knocked her out of training in August.
“She’s fit enough to run,” trainer Craig Lewis said. “Just our luck, we had to come along the same year as one of the best mares that ever lived.”
Beholder has won 14 of 19 starts, including 10 of 11 at Santa Anita, and earned $4,256,600. Gary Stevens rides Beholder, who enters the Zenyatta at the top of her game.
She drew to the far outside in post 9 in the 1 1/16-mile race, which is fine, according to Mandella.
“It’s good,” he said. “It keeps her out of trouble.”
The remainder of the field is Oscar Party, Savings Account, My Monet, Big Book, Kyriaki, and Wild in the Saddle. Big Book is not a confirmed starter.
The Zenyatta is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race offering the winner an expenses-paid berth in the BC Distaff on Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Key contenders
Beholder (Last 3 Beyers: 114-97-98)
* Beholder galloped 1 1/2 miles Thursday at dawn and was calm and relaxed when schooling in the paddock afterward while treated to an occasional mint from Mandella.
* Temperatures in the upper 90s are expected Saturday, and Beholder will be given a cool bath before leaving to be saddled and another short bath in the paddock. Post parades Saturday will be shortened due to the heat.
* Beholder has won five straight and figures for a pressing trip while wide.
My Sweet Addiction (Last 3 Beyers: 75-32-95)
* My Sweet Addiction upset the Grade 1 Vanity in May at Santa Anita and had excuses for two subsequent losses. She broke slowly and was caught wide at Churchill Downs. She was compromised next out by a tiring surface when finishing fourth at Del Mar.
* Sired by Tiznow, My Sweet Addiction is owned and bred by Pam Ziebarth. Her dam, Healthy Addiction, won this race in 2005 and 2006, when it was called the Lady’s Secret. My Sweet Addiction, 4 for 12 with earnings of $348,106, will be ridden by Mike Smith.
Warren’s Veneda (Last 3 Beyers: 77-73-96)
* Warren’s Veneda finished more than 11 lengths behind Beholder in the Grade 1 Hirsch at Del Mar, then missed 1 1/2 weeks with a bruised foot.
“Physically, she’s real good now,” said Lewis. “But she breezed three-quarters [Sept. 18], and she got a little tired, which is very unusual for her.”
* Owned and bred by Ben Warren, Warren’s Veneda is using the Zenyatta to prep for the BC Distaff. Warren’s Veneda has won eight races and $931,612 from 28 starts. Tyler Baze rides.