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Zenyatta had the second shortest odds at the 2009 Breeders Cup than any other entry outside of Rip Van Winkle. Her odds were initially listed at +400 at BetUS.com but these odds are subject to change and had already dipped to +350 so lock them in now.
BetUS.com analysts are not so high on Zenyatta:
"I'd give her more of a shot in this if her odds weren't so short. I mean, 4 to 1 is tough to take on any horse in the Classic much less a mare that hasn't raced against males before and hasn't gone 1 ¼ miles before. The problem with Zenyatta is that she's been letting some seriously mediocre races horses, like Annaba's Creation and Lethal Heat, stick with her in her recent races. To me, it's a sign that she's on the downturn of a fantastic career ala Curlin in the 2008 BC Classic. Another issue will be whether or not Mike Smith can make up the needed ground on horses like Summer Bird and Quality Road in a big field. I don't believe it's possible, but just the fact she will run against the fellas in the biggest race in America means she gets mad props."
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss could have taken the easy way out and had their unbeaten 5-year-old mare defend her title in Friday's Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. She would have been an odds-on favorite to win and finish her career 14-for-14, the MCT News Service points out.
From the Baltimore Sun:
Zenyatta's amazing rally has brought her from last or near last to first in each of her starts. But those were just races against mostly ordinary horses. This is the race against an extraordinary group of horses.
The shadow of the amazing filly Rachel Alexandra looms over this Classic. Owner Jess Jackson kept her out of the BC because he objects to the synthetic surface at Santa Anita.
Regardless of how the Horse of the Year voting ends up, a Zenyatta win against males in the Classic would be a result for the ages.
"I've been blessed to be on some great horses," Smith said. "I've just never been on something that can turn it on like she does. She has a tremendous stride. It just seems to reach forever. It's almost an out-of-body feeling. I've almost got to where I'm a spectator myself on top of her with the best seat in the house. I'm just in awe of her."
Zenyatta will get a lot of wagers regardless. Gambling911.com continues to monitor Zenyatta 2009 Breeders Cup odds, which have already begun to shorten below 3/1 at press time.
Zenyatta 2009 Breeders Cup Odds were at +350 for a potential payout of $350 on every $100 bet at BetUS.com.
Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
