Vanity most likely target for Zenyatta’s next start Thoroughbred TimesPosted: Friday, April 23, 2010 11:39 AM
The connections of undefeated two-time champion Zenyatta, who has won both her starts as a six-year-old, have targeted the Vanity Handicap (G1) on June 13 at Hollywood Park as the Street Cry (Ire) mare’s next likely start.
“It all depends on the weights,” trainer John Shirreffs said Friday. “We just have to wait and see.”
Hollywood will assign weights on June 9. Zenyatta carried 124 pounds when she won the 2008 Vanity in her sixth career start and a career high 129 pounds when winning the race in ’09. Zenyatta was champion older female both years and a finalist for Horse of the Year in 2009 after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“We don’t have a number in mind,” Shirreffs said of his target weight. “I’m surprised you’re asking me about the Vanity now; it’s so far off.”
In her two starts this year, Zenyatta toted 127 pounds when winning the Santa Margarita Handicap (G1) on March 13 at Santa Anita Park and 123 pounds under allowance conditions when winning the Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Oaklawn Park.
Previous winners of the Vanity who have carried at least 129 pounds are Cascapedia (129 in 1977), Gamely (131 in ’68), and Silver Spoon (130 in ’60).
Winning the Vanity would make Zenyatta the first three-time winner of the race that boosts eventual Horse of the Year Azeri among its two-time winners. Return
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