Formerly known as the Lady's Secret Stakes, the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) Sept. 27 at Santa Anita Park has proven to be an important prep race for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) over the years.
The 1 1/16-mile affair has been dominated by some of the greatest fillies and mares of the 21st century such as Azeri, Beholder, and, of course, Zenyatta. As a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" qualifier, several fillies and mares in this year's field will hope to use this as a springboard to the $2 million Distaff Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
1. Majestic Oops (7-2 morning-line odds): A former claimer, she has broken the $1 million barrier in purse earnings thanks to back-to-back strong years in stakes company. The Majestic Harbor mare has not done much in two previous starts at Santa Anita but is fond of this 1 1/16-mile distance. When last seen, she finished well from between horses in the grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. As usual, she is a threat.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Phil D'Amato
2. She's No Quant (15-1): One of three 3-year-old fillies in the field, this daughter of Pavel continues to improve as she has made the transition from turf to dirt. After a pair of sharp wins sprinting on the grass, she has finished first and second in a pair of stakes at Del Mar against fellow sophomores. She tired late in her first attempt around two turns last time and now tries older females for the first time, but another solid effort would come as no surprise at all.
JOCKEY: Hector Berrios; TRAINER: Edward Freeman
3. Super Corredora (10-1): Things have not gone as planned this year for the winner of the 2025 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). After backing out to run fourth and then a distant sixth in her first two starts of her sophomore season, she was given plenty of time off. The Gun Runner filly has not found an easy spot to return in her first race in nearly seven months, but she should show plenty of early speed as a fresh and talented filly.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: John Sadler
4. Om N Joy (2-1): The rags-to-riches story of this California-bred daughter of Om continues Sunday as she returns to face females after running a credible fourth in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) against males last time. The cutback from 1 1/4 miles could be an obstacle for the late runner, but this race should provide plenty of early pace to set the table for her rally. If she does not fall too far back in the first part of the race, she could be hard to deny in the late stages.
JOCKEY: Kent Desormeaux; TRAINER: Aggie Ordonez
5. Howin (12-1): One of two entrants in the race for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, this 4-year-old Gun Runner filly did not show much in her return to the races when finishing well behind Magnificat last time. Third in this race last year as a longshot, she will need to return to her best form to have any chance on Sunday.
JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
6. Rabeeba (5-2): Unbeaten in three career starts, the 3-year-old Curlin filly will be the preferred member of the Baffert duo. A winner of her stakes debut last time when she wore down She's No Quant in the Torrey Pine Stakes at Del Mar, she now moves up to face older fillies. It has been a nice run for her since making her career debut in June at Los Alamitos, but as one of the favorites, it's hard to believe she will offer good value while facing several quality older females in this one.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
7. Magnificat (4-1): After showing plenty of talent while sprinting in her first eight career starts, this Omaha Beach filly stepped up impressively last time in her first try around two turns. She stumbled out of the gate and spotted the field several lengths in the Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar before uncorking an impressive run to win easily. The Richard Mandella trainee will face much better here, but looks like the type of talented filly who can handle the move up in class. She is the top pick.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Richard Mandella
THE PICK: Magnificat
LIVE LONGSHOT: She's No Quant
SUPERFECTA: 7-4-1-2
