Form horses were to the fore on Friday at Santa Anita. A large crowd was on hand. The weather was perfect. It was a ten-race card. The first Breeders’ Cup was the third in the program. The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh were BC races. The last three races were regular Santa Anita races

Indian Blessing was the 18-10 favourite as post time approached for the filly-mare Sprint.  Ventura who had been held at 2-1 drifted to 5-2. Zaftig had some friends. Dearest Trickski showed the way with Indian Blessing not more than a length away. Ventura lay in the rear about 10th after a start that announcer Trevor Denman called ‘awkward.’ Ventura started her move and began circling the field as Indian Blessing hit the front turning for home. Only a moment or two had passed and Ventura was right alongside the favourite. A tap or two from Garrett Gomez and Ventura began putting some separation. It was a four-length win. Indian Blessing held on for second over Zaftig. The time for 1400 metres was 1 19.90.

I asked Bobby Frankel, Ventura’s trainer, how Ventura came to his yard. “You know that I train for Juddmonte Farms. They had her in a Newmarket sale but she won a listed race. There was a change of heart and she was sent to America. It was a blessing for me and a blessing for everybody.”

I quipped, “and you beat Indian Blessing.”

“You are right, good, I did not plan that one.”

Garrett Gomez stated, “I was not worried about the start. She has a tremendous turn of foot. You saw that today. I was confident when I made my move.”

Ventura is a filly by Chester House and out of Estala, a Be My Guest mare. Chester House was the Arlington Million winner in 2001.

Next came the turf race for juvenile girls. Laragh went into a long lead and was the 5-2 favourite. She held a clear margin as she negotiated the final turn. It was only with 200 metres to go, two fillies emerged from the pack. Maram, looking for three for three in her career, closed quickly and raced past Laragh. As Maram was being hailed the winner, John Murtagh and Heart Shaped came calling. Heart Shaped was gaining on Maram and the two went past the post locked together. It was a head bob and Maram had held on. Maram was at 11-1.

Owner Karen Woods, trainer Chad Brown and jockey Jose Lezcano were at the press conference.

I asked jockey Lezcano. “How old are you? When did you start riding? How did you get Maram from day number one?”

“I am 23 and from Panama. I don’t speak much English. I have been riding here for five years. This is my first BC win. I have ridden about 200 winners in 2008. I ride in New Jersey.”

Trainer Brown took over. “Jose rides a lot of horses for me. He’s very good. He is going places.”

Maram is a filly by Sahim out of American Dreamer by Quest for Fame.

The 1700-metre juvenile fillies race on the pro-ride surface was the next event. Stardom Bound was the firm choice at 3-2. Stardom Bound, trained by Chris Paasch, was going for three in a row. Away rather slowly, Stardom Bound was in the rear and at one point, 10 lengths off the pace. Asked for a run, Stardom Bound picked horses up one by one and was eighth at the top of the stretch. Hitting the front with 200 metres to run, Stardom Bound ran on to beat Dream Empress. Sky Diva who had forward position the entire trip salvaged third. It was a stunning performance. Stardom Bound clocked 1 40.99 and returned $5,20.

Stardom Bound is by Tapit by Pulpit. The dam is My White Corvette by Tarr Road.

Mike Smith was delighted. “This is a good start (Smith’s mount, Zenyatta was coming up), “I knew she had it in her. For a moment, we were pinned. I had to move early. That’s how the race went. Once she was in the clear, there was no stopping her.”

I asked trainer Chris Paasch if Stardom Bound will be equally effective staying close to the lead. “She is smart. She is aware of what is happening around her. I am sure if you change the tactics, she will be equally good.”

THE BC filly-mare turf over 2000 metres was the next race. Halfway To Heaven was the 5-2 choice. Wait A While and Mauralakana had their share of friends. Forever Together was a 9-2 proposition.

Dettori and Folk Opera shot to the front. Wait A While and Halfway To Heaven were close to the lead. Visit, in midfield, was on a ground-saving mission. Sealy Hill was getting an inside trip from the fence. Forever Together stayed away from the action. The field turned for home and Wait A While and Halfway To Heaven had surged to the front. Visit had found an opening along the fence and had gained a slender lead with 300 metres left. Sealy Hill and Forever Together were finding their best stride. Wait A while collared Visit and Sealy Hill delivered her bid. Halfway To Heaven had begun a retreat. With less than 100 metres to run, Julien Leparoux brought Forever Together along. It was a three way photo and Forever Together had finished the fastest.

Forever Together paid $11, 80 and ran the race in 2 01.58. Forever Together is by Belong To Me out of Constant Companion, a Relaunch mare.

Jockey Leparoux said, “I knew I could win. This is the Breeders’ Cup. It is tough to win by big margins. Three horses were fighting and my filly was the best. In cheap races, you sometimes win big.”

Trainer Jonathan Sheppard was thrilled. “Julien gave ger a great ride. With all the action up front, our filly had good position. She came into the race in form and she justified it.”

Zenayatta was the half money favourite in the Ladies’ Classic. The gates opened and Zenyatta, from post one, was away slowly. In a matter of strides, Zenyatta was ninth and last. With 800 metres to run, Zenyatta had not moved. The fans were getting anxious. Less than 300 metres to run, Mike Smith gave the green light. Trevor Denman said,  “Mike Smith has let her go, with a shake of the reins and here she comes.”  Coming five-wide into the lane, Zenyatta caught Cocoa Beach and went on. Music Note took third.

Zenyatta is nine for nine in her career. She is by Street Cry. The dam is Vertiginieux, a Kris S mare. The time for the race was 1 46.85.

I asked owner Jerry Moss if she will go for Pepper’s Pride’s record of 17 in a row. Trainer John Shirreffs answered. “Records are meant to be broken. I am not interested in chasing that mark. You do what you can to win races. Other things follow.”

I wanted to know, “you are on cloud nine, are you not interested in showcasing her in other parts of the world?”

“We don’t know yet. No specific plan yet. Let us see how she comes out of this race. She is special indeed.”

I had a chance to meet Pat Day. Day talked about his belief in the Lord and he was told to give up his riding career. “God gave me an unambiguous answer.”

I said hello to Sandy Hawley who won the Legends Race last Saturday. “Thank you. That was exciting,” Hawley answered.
Nine BC races on Saturday. The weather forecast is encouraging. Curlin will be the focus. The Classic is the final BC race.

Mr Moss, Zenyatta’s owner was asked if he would race her against Curlin. “That will be tough. It is a 2000 metre race. And against the best in the world. Fillies should race with their kind,” he replied.