Z for Zenyatta

This is an incredible horse. Zenyatta is currently undefeated in her 15 lifetime starts. And she happens to know she's pretty special. Before the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap on March 13, 2010, she posed for the hundreds of spectators before the call came for "Jockeys up!"

And she started the race at the very back of the pack, as is her signature style.

Zenyatta looks pretty sporty with Mike Smith wearing Jerry and Ann Moss's green and pink jockey silks. She even has the pink number "8" saddle blanket to match. But it's probably her
enormous stride and heart that really makes her the competitor she is.

She seems so calm, so at ease, as Mike Smith guides her along the track. Though he is quoted as saying, "I wish I could say I contributed...I might have done a little steering, but that was about it."

Ears perked, Zenyatta eyes her competition.

The horses pass by in a flash of thundering hooves. Smith and Zenyatta seem to just be biding their time.

This mare is unconcerned by the fact that she is trailing the field by several lengths at this point.

Check out how wide her footfall is behind. Zenyatta remained last in a field of eight until the final turn. She had to negotiate through some heavy traffic, and there was some amazing maneuvering before she was able to extend her stride and take over the race leader, Dance to My Tune. If you'd like to watch the video of the race on YouTube, click here.

But this is where, so far, she has always ended up: in front. And check out those ears; this girl still has some go left in the monstrous tank of hers. The comments on the results chart for this race read that Zenyatta had "split, surge[d], inhale[d] foe" for a victory margin of 1 1/4 lengths.

I have been lucky enough to see her last two wins. I hope I can see more.