Super Corredora gets started again in Zenyatta

Super Corredora, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2025, had a rough late winter campaign earlier this year, losing badly in two stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

The defeats led to a vacation. Super Corredora resumed workouts in late July and starts for the first time since March 8 in Sunday’s Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares at Santa Anita.

A win in the $200,000 Zenyatta would be the first for Super Corredora since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar last October and provide a fees-paid berth to the BC Distaff on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

A victory will not be easy.

Super Corredora is part of a field of seven that includes five stakes winners this year – Magnificat, Majestic Oops, Om N Joy, Rabeeba, She’s No Quant, and Howin, who was third in the 2025 Zenyatta.

Super Corredora, trained by John Sadler for the partnership of Spartan Equine Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Gardiner, and Michael Olszewski, led throughout the BC Juvenile Fillies. She is likely to display the same style in the Zenyatta.

“She seems fresh and happy,” Sadler said. “We’re anxious to get her going.”

Earlier this year, Super Corredora was fourth in the Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile in February after disputing the early pace, and then sixth of seven in the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 8 after a troubled start. She was sent to Kentucky for a rest a few weeks later.

In the Zenyatta, Super Corredora may face an early challenge from Magnificat, who won the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at a mile for fillies and mares on Sept. 5 at Del Mar. Magnificat stumbled at the start but recovered to win by 2 1/2 lengths as the 7-5 favorite.

“It was encouraging the other day, and we’re hoping for a little more improvement,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

A sprint stakes winner in June, Magnificat was ridden by Joel Rosario that day. Mike Smith has the mount in the Zenyatta; Rosario is on Super Corredora.

Magnificat worked a half-mile in 46.20 seconds on Sept. 18 at Santa Anita.

“It wasn’t intended,” Mandella said of the fast time. “She’s doing so good.”

If a rapid pace develops, the four-time stakes winner Majestic Oops and the five-time stakes winner Om N Joy will quickly take prominent positions in the stretch.

Majestic Oops was an unlucky fourth in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares on Aug. 1 at Del Mar in her last start. Last of nine early, Majestic Oops raced in traffic at the end of the backstretch and again on the turn. Once clear, Majestic Oops closed steadily to lose by 1 1/2 lengths.

“If we get out sooner, it’s a different ball game,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “She was mired in trouble. When she went to make a move, someone got in our way.”

Om N Joy, winner of the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in May, finished second by a half-length in the Clement Hirsch, closing from fourth on the turn. She followed with a fourth-place finish against males in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 22 at Del Mar.

On N Joy, who will be ridden on Sunday by Kent Desormeaux, has had two half-mile workouts this month for the Hirsch. Trainer Aggie Ordonez insists Om N Joy can adapt to whatever pace scenario develops.

In the Santa Margarita, Om N Joy chased a quick pace and won by 3 3/4 lengths. The early fractions were not as fast in the Clement Hirsch.

“I think she’s versatile. I think Kent will adjust where he puts her based on the pace,” Ordonez said. “I’m not worried about it.

“I would love the scenario I had in the Santa Margarita, but you won’t get that every time. If there is a little less speed, we’ll be closer.”