Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images-StlTodayNo painting to post today; I've been out working for the last week and am playing catch up at my easel; however, I did take out time to watch one or two of the Breeders Cup races yesterday and am so glad I did! One of the most amazing races I have ever seen was the final race, The Classic.
The undefeated mare Zenyatta, was pitted against the boys and boy-o-boy did she show them!
The race itself was one that movie script writers would have trouble topping :-)
This big, lovely girl readies herself for the race with a strange hoof-pawing dance before each race. One of the commentators described it as pilates for horses.
A California-based girl, she is bold and full of herself and she loves her people.
The rest of the field is a stellar cast of racing's best boys including the Kentucky Derby winner, The Arlington Million Winner, and a host of European Champions.
Going into the gate, Zenyatta had some loading problems, changing her mind about cooperating at the last minute (such a girl!) She eventually goes in and then the field has to wait for Quality Road, who, quite simply, freaks out at the gate, kicking and bucking and eventually is scratched and is withdrawn.
From there the horses break, and Zenyatta is caught unprepared and breaks on the wrong lead, settling into last place, about 10 lengths behind the leaders.
(For those that don't know what a wrong lead is, simply put, it is starting out on the wrong foot.)Jockey Mike Smith settles her down and changes leads. Nothing happens for the first half leg the race then Zenyatta joins the party. Just after the half mile mark, Zenyatta shifts into gear and starts to cruise by the boys, picking them off one by one. Then, just before hitting the homestretch, Mike takes her outside the field and she just motors home.
Seriously, she was like a big old caddy smoothly passing a bunch of jockeys on Vespas (sorry boys)!
The power of this girl!
Anyway, don't believe me?
Watch it for yourself (Zenyatta is a big dark horse with a yellow saddle cloth and the jockey is in Teal and link silks w/ a teal cap)Yes, definitely the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. And that's my lengthy commentary for today :-D
I'll be back tomorrow with a lot less words and more paintings!!
Zenyatta "Pilate's" photo courtesy of Smile Politely Blog
