Mike Smith Rides Zenyatta and Stardom Bound

Top Jockey Could Be Big Winner at Breeders' Cup Championships

Oct 20, 2008

Never shy about predictions, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith recently claimed Zenyatta may be the best he's ever guided. He'll ride Stardom Bound in the Juvenile Fillies.

Mike Smith has double whammy written all over him for the 25th renewal of the Breeders' Cup World Championships coming up this weekend. He's already claimed Zenyatta, the giant bay filly owned by Jerry and Ann Moss who remains undefeated, as probably the best horse he's ever ridden. The big-striding four-year-old is set to test company in the BC Ladies Classic October 24.

In addition, Smith will be aboard Stardom Bound, a gray streak of a juvenile who will see just her fifth start in the BC Juvenile Fillies field .

Stardom Bound Big Winner in Oak Leaf

The gray, all business two-year-old Stardom Bound rebounded from a brush with her outrider pony a day before the Santa Anita Park Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) on September 27. She won the race galloping off by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:42.44 for the 1-1/16 miles chase.

The day before, Stardom Bound caused her connections to take a deep breath when a near disaster became an inconsequential accidental brush. An outrider pony kicked Stardom Bound on the filly's right hind leg, causing an audible pop, according to trainer Christopher Paasch.

The stardom bound filly was thoroughly checked out before the Oak Leaf run the next day. Paasch was looking for full extension of the bumped leg, and was satisfied that all was well. Judging from the cruising victory Stardom Bound demonstrated, all was more than well.

The gray filly, a daughter of Tapit, who ran in 2004 against the likes of Smarty Jones, fired on all cylinders in the Oak Leaf and is headed to put some zip into the BC Juvenile Fillies race. Tapit has claimed No.2 leading freshman sire status by producing 14 first crop two-year-old winners.

Tapit paired with My White Corvette, by Tarr Road, to sire Stardom Bound, and she looks every bit of it. Charles Cono owns Stardom Bound, who was bred in Kentucky by Fletcher and Carolyn Gray and John Youngblood.

BC Cup Juvenile Fillies Eligibles

Leading candidates for the BC Juvenile Fillies race October 24, their trainers, and tentative riders are:

Dream Express ----- Ken McPeek (also a Juvenile Fillies Turf possibility) -- Robby Albarado

Emmy Darling ----- John Sadler (also a Juvenile Fillies Turf possibility) -- David Flores

Evita Argentina ----- John Sadler (also a Junevile Fillies Turf possibility) -- Alex Solis

The copyright of the article Mike Smith Rides Zenyatta and Stardom Bound in Thoroughbred Racing is owned by BarbaraAnne Helberg. Permission to republish Mike Smith Rides Zenyatta and Stardom Bound in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.