Zenyatta towered over her Breeders' Cup rivals in both talent and size (Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com)

Twenty years after the great Personal Ensign (Private Account) capped off her undefeated career with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) moved her record to a perfect nine-for-nine on Friday in the newly renamed Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) at Santa Anita. In the process, the magnificent dark bay gave her owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, as well as trainer John Shirreffs their first ever Breeders' Cup victory.

"Winning a Breeders' Cup race with a filly like this is just an amazing experience," Shirreffs said. "You watch these races, but to actually be a participant is fantastic. And then to win with a filly like this, the feeling I have right now is something that's hard to put into words. I don't even think I can tell you what I was thinking as I watched the race. I don't know if I can explain how I feel. Isn't she great?"

"We're just thrilled that she's won this race, and she seems to be at the top of her division rather firmly," Jerry Moss added. "I mean, to have, if I may say it, a champion, is a pretty ultimate thrill for us. It will be our first one, in a sense. It's a fantastic experience."

Mike Smith was all smiles after Zenyatta took him for a ride (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com)

"I've never seen a horse go past other horses like this filly can. She sets herself up to come to them, and she just blazes by them. That was a field of world-class fillies. I've been on other horses that have speed and can pass other horses, but none like her. I don't know if she has a bottom."

Sent off the heaviest favorite on the day at 1-2, Zenyatta paid $3, $2.60 and $2.10 to her many backers. Cocoa Beach gave back $4.60 and $3.80 as the 7-1 third choice, finishing off the $6.70 exacta ($1). Music Note followed by another 1 1/2 lengths in third, returning $3.80 at 9-1 and completing the $34.40 trifecta ($1). Carriage Trail (Giant's Causeway) passed Hystericalady in late stretch to end the $116.80 superfecta (1-3-4-5) ($1), and those two were followed by defending champion Ginger Punch (Awesome Again) in sixth. Santa Teresita and Bear Now completed the order under the wire.

Zenyatta began her remarkable career rather belatedly at Hollywood Park last November 22, taking a 6 1/2-furlong maiden by three lengths after rallying from last. That race was just a preview of things to come, as Shirreffs next saddled her to a 3 1/2-length score in an allowance to finish out her three-year-old season. The massive miss made her stakes debut an easy win in Santa Anita's El Encino S. (G2), and was then given a three month break before returning to earn her first Grade 1 victory. That particular score came while Zenyatta was also trying the dirt for the first time in the Apple Blossom, where she had Ginger Punch back in third. Returned to Hollywood Park, the four-year-old continued to pad her resume, capturing the Milady H. (G2) and Vanity H. (G1) before switching over to Del Mar and scoring a length tally in the Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2). Zenyatta had her first taste of the new Pro-Ride surface when cruising to a 3 1/2-length victory in the Lady's Secret S. (G1) prior to this one, and more than doubled her earnings to $2,144,580 with the winner's share.