Zenyatta returns against Life is Sweet in Milady

Zenyatta will make her 2009 bow Saturday (Ed Van Meter/Horsephotos.com)

Unbeaten ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]), last seen recording an authoritative 1

1/2-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1), will return to the

races in Saturday's $150,000

Milady H.

(G2) at Hollywood Park, and the top challenger for the five-year-old mare is her stablemate, LIFE IS SWEET (Storm Cat). Both

distaffers are trained by John Shirreffs, but they'll square off against each

other in the 1 1/16-mile event due to separate ownership.

Zenyatta, who is campaigned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, was named a finalist

for 2008 Horse of the Year honors and will bring a nine-for-nine mark into the

Milady, which she won by 2 1/2 lengths in 2008. The late-running dark bay was

never seriously challenged last season, compiling four Grade 1 tallies in seven

starts, and the 126-pound highweight will be guided by regular rider Mike Smith.

The Pam & Martin Wygod-owned Life is Sweet will bring a three-race winning

skein into this event, winning the El Encino S. (G2), La Canada S. (G2) and

Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1) this season, and the four-year-old filly will keep

Garrett Gomez in the saddle.