Zenyatta extended her unbeaten streak to four races and defeated a champion in doing so when she took the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park April 5. Running down last years Eclipse Award-winning older mare Ginger Punch at the head of the lane, the John Shirreffs trainee took home her first grade I victory and launched a legitimate bid for an Eclipse Award of her own, should her winning ways continue.
Ginger Punch was the front-runner in the 1 1/16-mile Apple Blossom, going through the first quarter in :23.47. She was followed closely through that pace by Lemon Drop Mom, while Clever Strike and Brownie Points made up the top four. Zenyatta, well back in the six-horse field under Mike Smith, was trailed only by Kettleoneup as they went a half in :47.30 and three-quarters in 1:11.61.
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