Flight connections could skyrocket at Zenyatta

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Flight connections could skyrocket at Zenyatta

With the recent retirement of Adare Manor , Flight connection could emerge as a serious contender in the September 29 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Flying Connection, who has chased Adare Manor twice this year, will face five distaff runners in the 1 1/16-mile event which Adare Manor won in 2023.

Flying Connection not only performed well against Adare Manor—finishing second in the April 13 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and third in the August 3 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1)—she also Army with confidence in front of coach Todd Fincher. The 4 year old daughter of Nyquistist Start the new year in New Mexico at Sunland Parkwon the Harry Henson Handicap and later competed in Arkansas, Kentucky, New York and California.

For the Zenyatta, Flying Connection simply ships to the California coast from Del Mar to Santa Anita. She clearly settled right away, clicking five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Santa Anita September 20. Although she had performed well around the country, all seven in Flying Connection’s birth both came in New Mexico, in a maiden event and six stakes.

Her strong performance in Zenyatta would help Flying Connection earn more than $1 million in her career. Although the Zenyatta is not a “Win and you’re in” race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), Viewers , Zenyatta , Azerbaijan And Hollywood Wildcat each won the Zenyatta (or its previous incarnation the Lady’s Secret) and the Distaff in the same season.

Joe Talamo sailed Flying Connection aboard Hirsch and will return aboard her Zenyatta from 2nd.

The two 3-year-olds might have something to say about Zenyatta’s results. sugar fish And There’s nothing like you finished one-two in the June 8 Summertime Oaks (G2) at Santa Anita. Since then, Sugar Fish was sixth in the Hirsch at Del Mar against her elders, while Nothing Like You remained in her age group and finished second behind Hope Road in the Torrey Pines Stakes (G3), also at Del Mar.

Bob Baffert, who trained Adare Manor, rode Nothing Like You and named Juan Hernandez, Adare Manor’s regular jockey, on Nothing Like You, who drew post 4. Hernandez rode Nothing Like You in the section. most of her career, including the Summertime Oaks and when she won the Starlet (G2) and the 2023 Desi Arnaz Stakes. Earlier this year, Frankie Dettori drove Nothing Like You to a 7 1/2-length victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

Tyler Baze has been riding Sugar Fish since Jeff Mullins took over her training this year. Summertime Oaks was the third in a three-race winning streak for Sugar Fish, which began with his first win in 10 years. Baze is back on board from lesson 6.

Desert dawn finishing second to Adare Manor in Zenyatta 2023. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Desert Dawn does not back down from a fight, having encountered the likes of idiom And Sweet Azteca in her career. Desert Dawn won the 2022 Santa Anita Oaks and the 2024 La Canada Stakes (G3) and always thinks highly of herself. Umberto Rispoli moves from position 5.

D’Amato also coaches 6-year-olds Che Evasora who will make his US debut after 23 races in his native Argentina. In her most recent race there, Che Evasora captured the May 1 Criadores (G1). D’Amato called Antonio Fresu from 3rd.

John Sadler is currently training the 4-year-old Alpha Bella (Hector Berrios, lesson 1), who is competing on the East Coast for Todd Pletcher. Alpha Bella, daughter of justify has a record of three wins (including this year’s Grade 3 La Prevoyante Stakes), four seconds and two thirds in 16 starts.