Zenyatta almost beats Blame and the boys 2010 Breeders Cup - Final Stretch - loses by a head

Put the blame on Blame for breaking Zenyatta's magnificent winning streak -- and a lot of hearts, too.

Jockey Mike Smith wept. Owners Jerry and Ann Moss stood in stunned silence. Trainer John Shirreffs trudged slowly back to the barn, hands in his pockets.

Nineteen times the people behind Zenyatta led horse racing's superstar to the track. Nineteen times they'd celebrated with her in the winner's circle.

[+] EnlargeZenyatta
AP Photo/David J. PhillipJockey Mike Smith blamed himself after the race for Zenyatta's first loss, by a head to Blame.

Not this time.

Blame beat Zenyatta by a head in a thrilling finish at the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday night, handing the 6-year-old mare her first defeat.

Zenyatta threaded her way through traffic from last place while the crowd of 72,739 urged her on as she unleashed a monstrous closing kick under the lights at Churchill Downs.

It was so close, a matter of inches, the result had to be resolved by a photo -- a picture that saddened not only Zenyatta's owners and trainer but millions of fans around the world.

It was so close, Ann Moss said she was hoping her horse had "stuck her tongue out" at the finish.

Smith blamed himself for the loss. He walked off the track with his head down, dirt stuck to his face.

"It was my fault," he said, sobbing. "She should've won."

Category:

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• 101105
• breederscup
• final
• zenyatta
• blame
• upset
• loss
• Breeders
• Cup
• Churchill
• Downs
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• racing
• dirt
• track

[BackstretchRunner]

Zenyatta is obviously the better horse. It may sound like everyone's trying to make excuses for her, but I don't see it that way. She had odds piled up against her, and I think her connections made the mistakes to get her beaten in the Classic. They should have had her there 2 weeks early out on the track and getting her desensitized to everything.. It was an assload for her take in, but she still managed to lose only by a few inches? That's an accomplishment considering odds piled on her.

[Bax7a]

To win 19 straight races, in the style that she did, was almost unbelievable. She is a true superstar of racing. Now we have Black Caviar tearing it up down under, 13 for 13 and don't forget Frankel, 7 for 7 and about to test himself against the big boys. Exciting times.

[TheLuscious]

@Buckets9817 Sure he did genius. The same Mike Smith who now has 15 Breeders' Cup wins. But like you said horse racing expert, he fucked up the ride.

[kingsindiandefence]

@kingsindiandefence well a year on (surprised this thread still going) and it's Goldikova's big night. Hope she wins but since then she's been humbled by Frankel, who should get 1 mile 1/4 next year. He's no hold up horse and should be interesting. i think they might run him at teh distance and try for next years classic if it turns out.

[Buckets9817]

Mike Smith fucked up the ride. Plain and simple.

[appalosahorse7112]

close tough? she  is one horse

[FUCKUflylion132]

@TicinoParadise

Zenyatta + Gio Ponti = 20 Grade I victories

Zenyatta + Gio Ponti = over 13.4 million dollars in earnings

Anymore questions you need answers too?

[TicinoParadise]

@d9y8l7a6n5 - No way shape or form did she get her head past his after the wire, never.

[IRSstables]

If Quality Road hadn't gotten in the way, she would've been 20-20. But that's horse racing! and life...

[funshipM174]

It's all about politics even on Horse racing. Jess Jackson was pushed into having Curlin run on that fake crap in the BCC the year before and that costed Curlin HOY. I guarantee if Curlin had not run in that race, he wins HOY, and ZZenyatta does not get HOY award. I'm glad for racing she did win it, but the truth is that it was a payback to Jess for Curlin IMO.

[RuffianQueenOfRacing]

@DBJKAJ the weakest campaign? name one hore that has won their maiden by 15 lengths under a hand ride, in the process setting thetrack record for fastest time ever run by any 2 year old! name one horse that set new stakes records every time they raced, who set track record for fastest time run for a 2 year old, and 3 year old! also, Ruffian was in the lead and widening when vsing FP! the jockey chose to ride Ruffian saying she was the better horse! and who knows them better then the jockey?