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THOROUGHBRED BEAT AUGUST 13, 2009 by James Scully Win machine: ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) showed her courageous spirit Sunday, getting up in the final strides to win the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) by a short head, and stretched her perfect streak to 12. She received a terrible ride from Mike Smith, who waited too long to launch her rally off the tedious pace, and the Hall of Fame rider floated her extremely wide off the far turn, leaving a lot of ground to make up. Zenyatta wasn't mowing them down quickly enough in midstretch, but she owns an incredible will to win. The powerful mare surged dramatically late because she wanted it. Dynamic females: ZENYATTA and RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) are the top racehorses in North America. It's an event each time they run, and we'll be looking forward to seeing them perform at least a couple of more times this year. The last two Sundays were exciting, with Rachel Alexandra dominating males in the Haskell Invitational (G1) and Zenyatta remaining perfect in the Clement Hirsch at Del Mar, and these are heady times for Thoroughbred racing with such special performers. They achieve the same result, but the differences are striking. Rachel Alexandra sparkles in front-running fashion, and Zenyatta is the deadly closer. Rachel Alexandra is restricted to dirt, and Zenyatta runs on the synthetic tracks in Southern California. Both ventured upon foreign ground once last year, with Zenyatta taking the Apple Blossom H. (G1) on dirt and Rachel Alexandra capturing an allowance over synthetic, but they've remained exclusive in 2009 and nobody expects their connections to take a risk on the other one's preferred surface. Their paths probably won't cross in the Breeders' Cup, and there's little talk of a possible meeting later in the year. Until one of them loses, the debate will continue about which one's best. Race of the Year: James "Mattress Mack" McIngvale has proposed a $2 million match race between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta at Sam Houston Race Park, and while there's little chance of it materializing, he's got the right idea. The Breeders' Cup races are important, and the Triple Crown races are huge. But the biggest race in 2009 would feature the mighty females. If they keep winning, a Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta confrontation would spark tremendous interest among causal fans and Thoroughbred racing die-hards. Whether it's an established or newly-created stakes race, a match race or open competition, it would be the kind of match-up that historians would relish, one in which everybody has an opinion. It would generate millions in revenue for the host track, so the purse money will be there. It's exciting to talk about, and I'll remain optimistic, but the prospects are slim. Million hero: GIO PONTI (Tale of the Cat) got lost in the shuffle a little bit over the weekend, but he deserves major kudos for his 1 1/4-length score in Saturday's Arlington Million (G1). He's accomplishing big things this season. The last seven North American-based turf champions are English Channel (2007), Miesque's Approval (2006), Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (2005), Kitten's Joy (2004), Buck's Boy (1998), Chief Bearhart (1997) and Northern Spur (Ire) (1995), and none were able to win three Grade 1 races in succession (overlooking any Grade 2, 3 or listed races in their past performances) during their championship season. Gio Ponti has won four straight Grade 1s this year, showcasing his skills at a variety of distances. He kicked off the streak in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile H. (G1) on March 7, and while the distance was a little short for him, Gio Ponti got up to win in the final strides by a nose. The four-year-old colt followed with convincing scores at 1 1/4 miles and 1 3/8 miles in the Manhattan H. (G1) and Man o' War S. (G1), respectively, and he overcame a stumbling start in the 10-furlong Million to win in authoritative fashion once again, putting away his rivals with an electric turn of foot at the top of the stretch. The next hurdle to clear is 12 furlongs. Trainer Christophe Clement knows the Breeders' Cup. The Mile (G1), which will attract a much deeper cast of talent than the Kilroe, doesn't suit him, and the 1 1/2-mile Turf (G1) is potentially too far. But Gio Ponti will have the opportunity to test his endurance in the 1 1/2-mile Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) on October 3, and I wouldn't put the distance past him. He's been exceptional so far this season. Whitney upset: The curtain closed upon COMMENTATOR's (Distorted Humor) distinguished racing career on Saturday as the eight-year-old gelding came up a little short in his pursuit of a record-tying third Whitney H. (G1) victory. The chestnut was talented, winning the 2005 and 2008 Whitneys as well as six other stakes, but injuries were always an issue, limiting him to only 24 starts over six seasons on the track. Trainer Nick Zito brought him back time after time, and the colorful conditioner loved the horse, showering Commentator with adulation at every opportunity. It would've been nice to see him go out with a win. In an older division wracked with mediocrity, Bullsbay (Tiznow) earned his first Grade 1 victory as the longest shot on the board in the Whitney. Tenth in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in his previous start, one can make the case that Bullsbay is strictly a dirt horse. But that doesn't explain the surprising rise in form. He was second to Richard's Kid (Lemon Drop Kid) earlier this year in the John B. Campbell H. at Laurel Park. Bullsbay was in the right place at the right time. Commentator was pushed too hard during the early stages by the favored Smooth Air (Smooth Jazz), who folded his tent to last following the suicidal tactics. Give Commentator credit for holding for third, only three lengths back of the winner. Despite being past his better days, Commentator would've won the race without the early pressure. But he was tiring by the far turn, and eventual runner-up Macho Again (Macho Uno) lacked the same punch he displayed winning the Stephen Foster H. (G1) in his previous start. Macho Again's never put together back-to-back wins, and he's lacked consistency from one start to the next throughout his career. Right place, right time for Bullsbay, who was trained to the minute by Graham Motion for his best performance.
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