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Zenyatta gives weight in Vanity

Zenyatta (right) just eked out victory in last season's Vanity (Benoit Photos)

Undefeated champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]) will be giving away 13-18 pounds when she goes as the 129-pound highweight in Saturday's $300,000 Vanity H. (G1) at Hollywood Park. A field of eight has been entered in the 1 1/8-mile Cushion Track test, with Zenyatta seeking to continue her 10-race win streak while making her second start of the year.

Last year's Vanity saw Zenyatta win by her shortest margin to date, only a half-length, and she'll be carrying five more pounds this time around. She successfully defended her title in the Milady H. (G2) while toting 126 pounds in her 2009 bow last out, her first race since taking the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) in late October. That victory wrapped up her title as champion older mare, and Mike Smith, aboard since the dark bay mare captured last year's Apple Blossom H. (G1), will take up the reins once again Saturday.

DAWN AFTER DAWN (Successful Appeal) will have to carry the second highest weight in the Vanity, assigned 116 pounds under Garrett Gomez. The bay five-year-old has racked up two wins this year, both in grass stakes, and will probably relish the return to a synthetic track following her past five races on turf. Trained by John Sadler, the mare should also enjoy the stretch out 1 1/8 miles after running ninth last out in the one-mile Redondo Beach S.

BRIECAT (Adcat) was eighth in the Redondo Beach most recently, and is another who could show improvement while returning to the Cushion Track over which she captured the Bayakoa H. (G2) in December. The Vladimir Cerin charge is actually two-for-two at Hollywood Park, but she'll be trying nine furlongs for the first time here. ALLICANSAYIS WOW (Street Cry [Ire]) won her U.S. debut, an April 23 allowance/optional claimer, and then took on Zenyatta in the Milady last out. The bay four-year-old reputed herself well, taking a head lead in the stretch before eventually finishing third at 19-1. She could continue to show more in only her third start stateside.

Also entered in the Vanity are dual stakes winner YOU LIFT ME UP (Lord Carson) and Humana Distaff S. (G1) third MODIFICATION (Vindication).


 


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