Zenyatta A Perfect 19 For 19 After Victory In Lady's Secret

Making her final start in Southern California at the place where she has been stabled throughout her brilliant career, Zenyatta remained undefeated with a thrilling victory in the $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes Saturday at Oak Tree/Hollywood Park.

The race was one of four Grade I events on the card.

Before an extremely enthusiastic crowd of 25,837, the 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry and the Kris S. mare Vertigineux won for the 19th time -- matching the streak of Peppers Pride, who earned her wins in races restricted to New Mexico breds -- with a strong rally to defeat 4-1 second choice Switch by a half-length.

The victory was an unprecedented third in a row in the Lady's Secret for Zenyatta, who is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs, and enabled her to become the leader in career earnings by a female thoroughbred.

The $150,000 payday pushed her bankroll to $6,404,580, surpassing Ouija Board, who retired in 2006 with earnings of $6,312,552.

Winning for the eighth time at Hollywood Park, Zenyatta, who trailed for more than six furlongs under jockey Mike Smith, completed the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track in 1:42.97. She ran the last sixteenth of a mile in less than six seconds.

The 1-10 favorite, Zenyatta returned $2.20 and $2.10. There was no show wagering.