DEL MAR, Calif. — Zenyatta improved to 18-0 with the second-closest finish of her career, winning the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes by a neck at DelMar yesterday.
The 6-year-old mare defeated Rinterval in a twohorse duel to the finish line in the 1 1/16-mile race at the seaside track north of San Diego. Under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, she covered the distance in 1:45.03.
Zenyatta won the Hirsch for the third consecutive year over the synthetic Polytrack surface. She was first by a head last year in the tightest finish of her career, and wonby a length in 2008.
It was her fourth Grade 1 win of the year, to go with victories in the Vanity Handicap, the Apple Blossom on dirt at Arkansas’ Oaklawn Park, and the Santa Margarita Handicap. Zenyatta paid $2.20 and $2.10 as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite on a sunny, cool day at the shore. Rinterval returned $3.80. There was no show wagering.
Princess Taylor was third and Spring Style fourth in the field of six. Zenyatta lingered next-tolast in the early going, with Rinterval leading the way under Rafael Bejarano. She kicked into gear approaching the stretch turn, when Smith guided her four-wide to find clear running room on the outside.
She came up to Rinterval, who didn’t give way easily, keeping the pressure on Zenyatta through the stretch.
Trainer John Shirreffs didn’t openly commit to running Zenyatta because he was cautious about how she would handle the surface. Two weeks ago, the track was closed during training hours because materials in the surface had separated, causing inconsistencies. She had trained over the track since Wednesday.
Zenyatta won her previous start in the Vanity at Hollywood Park in June, giving away nine pounds to runner-up St Trinians. This time, she conceded just four to four of her rivals and two toMade forMagic.