Mike Smith confident that 1 1/4 miles is no problem for Zenyatta
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Sporting Life:
Despite the fact that she has never faced males and never run at a distance of a mile and a quarter, Mike Smith has every confidence that Zenyatta can stretch her unbeaten streak to 14 when she takes on the boys as anticipated in next Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
"The extra eighth of a mile certainly should benefit her," said the 44-year-old Hall of Fame jockey, who has ridden the five-year-old mare in her last 10 races.
"She shows that in her races, anyway. She runs a mile and an eighth all the time (three races), and she's always galloping out with plenty left. You wouldn't think an extra eighth would matter to her. I should hope not.
"But she's training well and she's ready to go, wherever they decide to run her."
Despite the fact that she has never faced males and never run at a distance of a mile and a quarter, Mike Smith has every confidence that Zenyatta can stretch her unbeaten streak to 14 when she takes on the boys as anticipated in next Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
"The extra eighth of a mile certainly should benefit her," said the 44-year-old Hall of Fame jockey, who has ridden the five-year-old mare in her last 10 races.
"She shows that in her races, anyway. She runs a mile and an eighth all the time (three races), and she's always galloping out with plenty left. You wouldn't think an extra eighth would matter to her. I should hope not.
"But she's training well and she's ready to go, wherever they decide to run her."