Street Cry’s sensational daughter Zenyatta recorded a brilliant win in a dramatic renewal of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Saturday to become the first mare ever to take the coveted event.

Settled in her customary position at the rear of the field under Mike Smith, Zenyatta was some 10 lengths off the lead in the back straight and looked to have some work to do entering the final turn.  But the striking dark bay mare came with a scintillating finishing burst to win by a length from Gio Ponti and Twice Over.

Now five, Zenyatta recorded her first victory in November 2007 at Hollywood Park and has not looked back since.  She has now notched 14 straight wins, bettering the record of Personal Ensign.  “I can’t believe it, what a great, great filly,” trainer John Shirreffs said.  “She’s special.  She came out on the wrong leg and took some time to get going but she’s all heart.”

Zenyatta, who runs in the green and pink silks of Jerry and Ann Moss, is by Darley shuttler Street Cry out of the winning Kris S mare Vertigineux.  Her dam has also foaled G1 winner Balance and she has a weanling filly by fellow Darley stallion Bernardini.

Zenyatta is one of 10 Group 1 winners for Street Cry, including fellow Darley stallions Street Sense and Street Boss, plus this week’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner is a crowd favourite in California and her second Breeders’ Cup triumph also prompted praise from the connections of the horses she defeated.  Many of them believe the undefeated mare now deserves to be named US Horse of the Year instead of wonder filly Rachel Alexandra.

“She beat the heck out of us,” said Eoin Harty, the trainer of Colonel John, who finished fifth in the Classic.  “That was probably the greatest performance I’ve ever seen.  I never saw Secretariat run but I’ve never seen anything like her.  I’m really torn when it comes to the Horse of the Year.  I’m probably Zenyatta’s biggest fan, but it’s also hard to forget what Rachel Alexandra did.  If ever there was a year to split the award, this is it.”

Champion trainer Bob Baffert was disappointed his runner Richard the Kid didn’t finish closer but he applauded the decision by Zenyatta’s connections to bypass the Ladies’ Classic to run her against males in the Classic.

“It was the only time in horse racing that I didn’t mind getting beat,” he explained.  “If they don’t reward her with Horse of the Year, it would be a travesty.  Zenyatta made the Breeders’ Cup.  And the way she won!  I’ve never seen a crowd so captivated.  It felt like a horse winning the third leg of the Triple Crown.”

Christophe Clement was extremely proud of the effort his Gio Ponti turned in finishing second in the Classic.  But he was no match for Zenyatta.  “She’s just a freak.  What can I say?”

Aidan O’Brien, whose Rip Van Winkle also disappointed, had not seen much of Zenyatta before Saturday.  But he was full of admiration after the race.  “She’s a great filly and a credit to all the people involved with her.”

Champion trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has been beaten by Zenyatta on more than a few occasions and he will remember the 2009 Classic for a long time to come.

“This will be a standout moment for a lot of people,” said Hollendorfer.  “I know it is for me.  It was a very gutsy move for her connections to run her in the Classic and they really deserve it.  Obviously Horse of the Year will come down to the two fillies.  As for me, well I’m partial to the West Coast so I’d give it to Zenyatta.”

Champion jockey Angel Cordero Jr. has seen history being made in the sport for over four decades but admitted he had never witnessed anything like watching Zenyatta storm home to capture the Classic.

“She not only won but it was the way she won that made this so special because she did it with something to spare.  We’ve now been privileged to have seen two great fillies like Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in the same year, and it’s impossible to say one was better than the other.  For the good of the sport, they’ve got to give them both the Horse of the Year award because it just wouldn’t be fair for one of them to lose.  I know one thing, if they do split it, nobody will be mad.”