Flashback: Zenyatta’s friends, family excel in La Cañada Stakes

The legendary Zenyatta won seemingly every major race for fillies and mares on the Southern California circuit, many of them multiple times. The La Cañada (G3) surely would have been ripe for Zenyatta’s conquest as well, but its annual early placement on the calendar prevented Zenyatta (who took time off each winter) from ever contesting the race.

But that’s OK — Zenyatta’s friends and family members have more than compensated, winning the race on a handful of high-profile occasions. Let’s recount a few of the most notable:

Tarlow wins for Shirreffs and the Mosses (2005)

Trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss are best known for their success with Zenyatta. But a few years before their superstar hit the stage, they enjoyed a La Cañada victory courtesy of Tarlow. Facing five rivals, the 4-year-old filly led all the way to score by two lengths, foreshadowing a subsequent victory in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1).

Balance wins one for the Zenyatta clan (2007)

Before Zenyatta debuted, her older half-sister Balance was making plenty of noise on the Southern California circuit. A three-time Grade 1 winner, Balance kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a resounding victory in the La Cañada. After rating back in fifth place, the daughter of Thunder Gulch out of Vertigineux rallied with unwavering determination down the stretch to post a 4 1/4-length victory.

Life Is Sweet emerges from Zenyatta’s shadow (2009)

The John Shirreffs filly Life Is Sweet was never quite up to beating Zenyatta, losing to her older stablemate on three occasions. But Life Is Sweet was a formidable talent in her own right, particularly when she escaped from Zenyatta’s imposing shadow. Known for her strong turn-of-foot, Life Is Sweet produced a big rally in the 2009 La Cañada, sprinting the final furlong in about :11 2/5 to win by just under a length. She would reiterate her ability at the end of the year when adding the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1) to her accomplished resume.

Mike Smith wins aboard Vale Dori (2017)

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has ridden an almost countless number of Grade 1 winners through the year, with Zenyatta among the very best. But it wasn’t until 2017 that Smith scored his first (and so far only) victory in the La Cañada. Guiding established graded stakes star Vale Dori, Smith sent his filly to the front and never looked back. Down the lane, Vale Dori edged clear under a confident hand ride to defeat her rivals by 2 1/2 lengths.

By the way, Zenyatta’s unraced daughter Zellda just turned 4 years old. Who knows? If she gets back into serious training this year, perhaps she’ll add to the “Zenyatta friends and family” legacy with a victory in the 2022 La Cañada.

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.