Zenyatta remains unbeaten American wonder mare Zenyatta stretched her unbeaten record to 16 with another imperious display in the Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes at Oaklawn Park. John Shirreffs' six-year-old was retired following her Breeders' Cup Classic triumph last year, but connections had a change of heart and she made a winning return in last month's Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap. Zenyatta had been due to clash with another star filly, Rachel Alexandra, at Oaklawn Park, but that exciting battle was postponed after Rachel Alexandra was beaten on her first start of the year in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes. Zenyatta therefore turned up as the red-hot favourite to beat her four rivals and having been settled at the rear by regular rider Mike Smith, she made her trademark swoop on the turn for home before shooting clear to score by four and a quarter lengths. "I have to say, I really believe she's even better this year," Smith told www.drf.com. "She won really well in hand. I would say this and her last race were pretty impressive to me. She did it well, well within herself." Shirreffs said Zenyatta would now head back to Hollywood Park before plans for her next race are determined.
