Zenyatta loses to Blame by a head at Breeders Cup 2010 (Video)
Category Sports | Sunday, November 7th, 2010
Put the blame on Blame for breaking Zenyatta‘s magnificent winning streak — and a lot of hearts, too.
Jockey Mike Smith wept. Owners Jerry and Ann Moss stood in stunned silence. Trainer John Shirreffs trudged slowly back to the barn, hands in his pockets.
Nineteen times the people behind Zenyatta led horse racing’s superstar to the track. Nineteen times they’d celebrated with her in the winner’s circle.
Blame beat Zenyatta by a head in a thrilling finish at the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday night, handing the 6-year-old mare her first defeat.
Zenyatta threaded her way through traffic from last place while the crowd of 72,739 urged her on as she unleashed a monstrous closing kick under the lights at Churchill Downs.
It was so close, a matter of inches, the result had to be resolved by a photo — a picture that saddened not only Zenyatta’s owners and trainer but millions of fans around the world.
It was so close, Ann Moss said she was hoping her horse had “stuck her tongue out” at the finish.
Smith blamed himself for the loss. He walked off the track with his head down, dirt stuck to his face.
“It was my fault,” he said, sobbing. “She should’ve won.”