Zenyatta Wins at Apple Blossom

Zenyatta and jockey Mike Smith race to the finish line to win the $500,000 Apple Blossom horse race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. (AP Images)

On April 5 at Oaklawn Park Zenyatta stretched her win streak to four races when she took the $500,000 purse at the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) Beating last year’s Eclipse Award-winning older mare Ginger Punch. This is her first grade I victory, with likely more to come.

Zenyatta, who was in the back of the field into the final turn, put it into 6th gear and blew past the competition, she blazed down the middle of the field to get the lead in a final time of 1:42.64 by a margin of 4 1/2 lengths.

Proud owners Jerry and Ann Moss bred Zenyatta in Kentucky by Maverick Production out of the Kris S. mare Vertigineux. Zenyatta came into the race fresh off a win at the El Encino Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita. The $300,000 purse from Apple Blossom brings her total earnings to $444,000.

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