Will Weight Disadvantage Stop Zenyatta?

The undefeated mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds March 13 when she makes her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

“I sure hope it won’t make a difference,” said regular rider Mike Smith, who has ridden Zenyatta to 13 straight victories. “But it is a lot of weight to spot horses, especially in her first race back. On the bright side, she’s a big mare. She handles weight really well. It is a lot of weight to spot, but what are you going to do? We got what we got.”