Champion Beholder Defends Zenyatta Crown

Beholder, winner of last year's Zenyatta Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, defended her crown with a three-quarter-length score over Tiz Midnight in the $300,000 contest Sept. 27.

Spendthrift Farm's dual champion covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.19 as the 2-5 favorite.



Beholder broke well from post 4 as Tiz Midnight went to the front under Victor Espinoza. Iotapa, coming off a pair of grade I wins, broke a step slowly but was able to get to the rail. The opening quarter went in :23.19 as Tiz Midnight led with Yahilwa in second and Beholder and Mike Smith taking the three path and tracking in third.



The half-mile went in :46.55 and three-quarters went in 1:10.34. Smith asked Beholder to engage the leaders and she eased up to the front on the turn and stuck her nose in front at the head of the lane. She took command and opened up and held Tiz Midnight safe even though the runner-up re-rallied. The mile went in 1:35.53 and Beholder hit the wire in 1:42.19. Last year Beholder got the trip in 1:42.11.



It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Iotapa in third, who was followed by Yahilwa and Wittgenstein. Tiz the Key was scratched.



"They don't get any more special," said winning trainer Richard Mandella.



Beholder was ridden by Smith for the first time. Gary Stevens had been aboard for her last five starts and Garrett Gomez rode her at 2 and through her runner-up effort in the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).



Beholder was making her first start since a trip to the East Coast for the Ogden Phipps Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. She finished fourth in that effort June 6  behind Close Hatches, Princess of Sylmar, and Antipathy.



A 4-year-old by Henny Hughes—Leslie's Lady, by Tricky Creek, Beholder was bred in Kentucky by Clarkland Farm. Her half sister by Curlin   sold for $1.1 million earlier this month at the Keeneland September yearling sale. A half sister to sire Into Mischief  , Beholder has now won 10 of 15 starts with three seconds and she has earned $3,368,300.



B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm paid $180,000 for Beholder as yearling and will offer her for sale next month at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. For more read here.

Carrying 121 pounds, Beholder paid $2.80, $2.20, and $2.10. Tiz Midnight paid $3.80 and $3.40. Iotapa paid $2.10 to show.