Last season’s Breeders’ Cup champ (Nov. 7), Zenyatta, who then retired undefeated after 14 races is coming out of retirement Saturday for the Grade I, $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap, theseventh race with a probable post time of 3:40 p.m. on March 13.
The six-year-old mare arrived at Santa Anita just before noon on Thursday from Hollywood Park.
Both she and the unbeaten California-bred gelding Caracortado, entered in Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 San Felipe Stakes, were scheduled to school in the paddock for Thursday’s third race.
The racing world hopes a Zenyatta victory in the Santa Margarita will lead to the “Race for the Ages” against Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the $5 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 9.
Rachel Alexandra also makes her 2010 debut Saturday in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies’ Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at the Fair Grounds in “The Big Easy.” It will go as the 10th race at approximately 3:15 p.m. PST and will be available via simulcast.
The field for the Santa Margarita: Dance to My Tune, Martin Garcia, 111, 50-1; Pretty Katherine, Joel Rosario, 111, 50-1; Made for Magic, Omar Berrio, 111, 50-1; Pretty Unusual, Chantal Sutherland, 113, 12-1; Striking Dancer, Alex Solis, 115, 8-1; Powerofvoodoo, Tyler Kaplan, 108, 50-1; Gripsholm Castle, Victor Espinoza, 112, 12-1; Zenyatta, Mike Smith, 127, 1-9; and Floating Heart, Joe Talamo, 111, 12-1.
The New Orleans Ladies Stakes will be available via simulcast, with post time set for 3:15 p.m., PST. Zenyatta will run approximately 22 minutes later, as post time for the Santa Margarita (race seven) is scheduled for 3:37 p.m.
Santa Anita will present a 10-race program on Saturday, with first post time set at 12:30 p.m.