October 3, 2016
A spot in the BC Distaff was on the line Saturday afternoon at SA in the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes and longshots ruled the day, as Wu Wei came up with the biggest race of her career to win her first added-money event over former LA-bred star Zenda and last out stakes winner Graphene. For the winner, who was second in the Grade I Hirsch at DMR earlier this season, it was only her third career win from 11 starts and more than doubled her bankroll for an owner who was scoring their second career Grade I win after shocking the racing world with Northern Keiko way back in 2006.
Minda (16.35) was really the only filly in the Zenyatta to break slowly as a wall of horses rushed into the first turn and Mazamorra (41.15) was hung very wide with Sweep The Ash (16.80) and Donna Chang (8.70) moving forward from midpack. As five runners tried to take the early lead through a first fraction in 23.41, it was clear that the outside runner was going to take command and Mazamorra held the lead from Wu Wei (10.75) with Princess Legion (11.25) tucked outside, just in behind them. Sweep The Ash got stuck inside as the wide runners got down to the fence and as Graphene (7.40) angled outside in midpack, positions really remained unchanged up front. Wu Wei led the field down the backstretch past the half-mile in 46.79 and actually moved a length to the good, then two-lengths clear, and as the early wide runs for many took their toll, it was up to the backfield to really make their move and catch the longshot. Sweep The Ash had every chance through six-furlongs in 1:10.33 but came up empty around the far turn while Donna Chang stalled from between rivals and that forced the best from the back to move wide, while slow into stride Minda moved to the rail for her run. Favourite Distant Cousin (*2.55) was dead last for much of the race and got into it late but Wu Wei was absolutely incredible through the final half-mile and had just enough to hold on for a very slim victory, with Minda coming up the fence for a much improved second with Graphene a wide third and True Adversity (8.45) a come-from-behind fourth. Distant Cousin did not have enough to finish better than fifth with Lady Of Lourdes (5.40), Sweep The Ash and Donna Chang behind her while Traffic Issues (8.00) encountered just that, finishing near the back with Princess Legion and Mazamorra, who were used early and had nothing left for the drive.
More than half of the field in the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes were three-year-olds but one of the more unlikely three-year-olds came through with victory as Wu Wei rocketed to the fore and held off all challengers to score the biggest win of her career and first in added-money competition. She earned her way into the BC Distaff but will not get as simple a trip in her next start and that could make her an underlay in a field that will be loaded and ready for the best race from each of the entrants.
Congratulations goes out to owner Keikowin Racing and their three-year-old filly Wu Wei, a hard-fought winner of the Grade I Zenyatta Stakes at SA!
Winner Wu Wei
Three-year-old chestnut filly
Tetra Moon-Best Friends (Swarley)
Owner Keikowin Racing
Time 23.41, 46.79, 1:10.33, 1:41.95
Overall
Wu Wei 10.75 broke sharp, led into backstretch, just held
Minda 16.35 slow into stride, inside run, missed
Graphene 7.40 broke well, wide into far turn, closed well
True Adversity 8.45 sharp late gains
Distant Cousin *2.55 wide run throughout
Lady Of Lourdes 5.40 even effort
Sweep The Ash 16.80 pressed, faded
Donna Chang 8.70 between rivals, tired
Traffic Issues 8.00 no factor
Princess Legion 11.25 wide run, weakened
Mazamorra 41.15 used early, nothing left
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
