Zenyatta - 2010 Lady's Secret Stakes + Pre & Post Race

Zenyatta heads to Churchill Downs to defend her Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) crown riding a 19-race streak of perfection. For the third time in her career, she three-peated in a major grade I race when she used her patented late charge to score a half-length triumph over Switch in Oak Tree's $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) before 25,837 fans at Hollywood Park Oct. 2.

Racing closer than usual to a pedestrian pace for jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta wound up her sweeping move rounding the final turn. She came under urging in the lane as Switch, who bounced to the lead at the head of the stretch, proved resolute in the drive. Trailing by nearly three lengths approaching mid-stretch, the 1-10 favorite Zenyatta kept coming, however, getting control in the final strides while inching away at the wire.

``She seems to know where the wire is at and she likes to make it a little dramatic,'' Smith said. ``It's just incredible.''

Zenyatta completed the 1 1/16-mile trip in 1:42.97 for her 11th victory at the distance. She registered her eighth win over her home track. The 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry also completed her third consecutive three-peat following victories in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park June 13 and the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 7. It was her 13th grade I win and ninth at that level in a row.

``She has so much heart,'' trainer John Shirreffs said. ``She digs down every time.''

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