Ollie's Candy, Secret Spice meet again in Santa Anita's Zenyatta
With the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff looming large on the horizon, Ollie’s Candy, Secret Spice and Paradise Woods head a field of six fillies and mares three and up in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita contested at 1 1/16 miles.
The Zenyatta, named for the legendary distaffer that beat the boys in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic here at Santa Anita and who went on to win Eclipse Award Horse of the Year honors the following year, is a Breeder’s Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier, meaning the winner's granted a fees-paid berth into the Nov. 2 Distaff also at Santa Anita.
Owner: Paul & Karen Eggert
Trainer: John Sadler
Although she was multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed on turf, Sadler opted to run her on dirt in the Clement Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar July 28 and she responded with a gutsy head victory. Originally trained by William Morey, this Kentucky homebred 4-year-old filly by Candy Ride comes back at the same 1 1/16-mile distance in what will be her fourth start for Sadler.
Owner: Little Red Feather Racing & Bobby Flay
Trainer: Richard Baltas
Off as the 6-5 favorite in the Hirsch, this 4-year-old Discreet Cat filly bobbled at the break but was never far off the lead while second, beaten narrowly by Ollie’s Candy. A rousing 2 ¼-length winner of the Beholder Mile (G1) here three starts back, Secret Spice should be in a stalking position early on Sunday.
Owner: HS Stable LLC and Pam & Martin Wygod
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Immensely talented but temperamental, Paradise Woods finished a well-beaten fourth as the second choice in the Hirsch at 8-5, but never seemed comfortable after breaking a step slow. With her best recent race a 10 ½-length romp three starts back in the Santa Margarita (G2) here April 27, this 5-year-old mare by Union Rags needs to break sharply and get into a comfortable rhythm if she’s to show her best again on Sunday.
THE ZENYATTA STAKES WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS
Race 5 of 8; approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT
1. Secret Spice—Flavien Prat—125
2. Mongolian Humor—Norberto Arroyo, Jr.—121
3. Paradise Woods—Abel Cedillo--123
4. Ollie’s Candy—Kent Desormeaux—125
5. La Force—Drayden Van Dyke—123
6. Kaydetre—Martin Garcia—121