The Autumn Meet at the Great Race Place explodes this weekend, and the $200,000 Grade II Zenyatta Stakes, a pivotal Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" event for the Distaff division, anchors the Sunday card. This race represents one of the final major tests for the West Coast's elite fillies and mares competing on the dirt, drawing an intriguing field of five competitors eager to secure their spot in the year-end championships.
You must analyze the field, weigh the past performances, and set your strategy for successful Zenyatta Stakes betting this weekend. A deep dive into the form and figures of these athletes reveals a compelling contest where speed, stamina, and class will determine who captures the ultimate prize.
The 2025 Zenyatta Stakes runs on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at the iconic Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. This historic track, nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, represents the very best of American horse racing, offering a world-class venue for high-stakes competition.
The race covers a distance of 1 1/16 miles over the main dirt track, a challenging route demanding both tactical speed and superior stamina from the field of runners. Post time for the Zenyatta Stakes, carded as Race 7, promises to captivate racing enthusiasts across the globe.
Current forecasts predict excellent racing conditions at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, with partly cloudy skies and a comfortable high temperature settling around 83°F (28°C). Overnight lows hover near 61∘F (16∘C), suggesting a fast, dry, and fair main track throughout the day.
These stable, dry conditions eliminate the uncertainty of a 'muddy' or 'sloppy' track, allowing handicappers to focus purely on the horses' talent, fitness, and ability to handle the 1 1/16-mile distance. Favorable weather always brings out the best in the athletes, setting the stage for a genuinely competitive and fast-paced Grade II event.
The Zenyatta Stakes carries a legacy of greatness, initially inaugurated in 1993 as the Lady's Secret Handicap, honoring the 1986 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner and Horse of the Year, Lady's Secret. In 2012, the race adopted its current name, commemorating the legendary mare Zenyatta, who dominated the American racing scene and won this race an incredible three consecutive times: in 2008, 2009, and 2010 (when it was temporarily known as the Lady's Secret Stakes, due to her staying in training). This event became synonymous with Zenyatta's mesmerizing late-running style and perfect 19-for-19 record before her only career defeat.
Beyond the immense popularity of Zenyatta, the race has crowned other all-time greats, notably the four-time Champion Beholder, who matched Zenyatta's three wins in this event (2013, 2014, and 2015). Trainer Bob Baffert holds the record for most wins in the race's history with six victories, a compelling statistic as he sends a formidable trio to the gate this year.
The fastest time in race history belongs to Zenyatta herself, who clocked an incredible 1:40.30 in her 2008 victory. Past winners, such as Hollywood Wildcat (1993, 1994) and Azeri (2002), as well as recent winners like Adare Manor (2023) and Sugar Fish (2024), highlight the elite nature of this $ 200,000 purse contest.
Study the Zenyatta Stakes Odds carefully, as history shows the winner often goes on to have a profound impact on the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Now, we delve into the individual competitors, providing the crucial details you need to bet on the Zenyatta Stakes confidently.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Cavalieri | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Speedway Stables LLC | 1:42.64 |
| 2024 | Sugar Fish | Tyler Baze | Jeff Mullins | Sweetwater Stable and By Talla Racing LLC | 1:43.53 |
| 2023 | Adare Manor | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Michael Lund Petersen | 1:43.70 |
| 2022 | Midnight Memories | Ramon A. Vazquez | Bob Baffert | Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul | 1:45.70 |
| 2021 | Private Mission | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | Baoma Corp | 1:43.77 |
| 2020 | Harvest Moon | Flavien Prat | Simon Callaghan | Bamford, Alice and Tabor, Michael B. | 1:43.30 |
The defending champion returns, always an essential factor in any stakes race, and Sugar Fish certainly commands respect as a 4-year-old filly from Kentucky. Last year, she defeated her elders, winning the Zenyatta Stakes by 121 lengths, marking a career-best performance that demonstrated her ability to handle the distance and the competitive pressure of a Grade II environment.
Trainer Jeff Mullins brings her into this year's contest off a lengthy layoff, following a third-place finish in the Grade I La Brea Stakes on December 26. She returned to the track with a solid effort in the Tranquility Lake Stakes at Del Mar on September 1, indicating she maintains good current form. Mullins sends her out with veteran Tyler Baze aboard, a jockey who knows the nuances of Santa Anita like the back of his hand, especially in a race where a clear, clean trip often proves paramount. The 6/1 morning line price represents a fair value for a proven commodity, especially for those looking for a slightly contrarian play against the formidable Baffert brigade.
La Kika introduces an element of international intrigue to the field, arriving as a 4-year-old filly hailing from Peru. She carries the high weight of 126 pounds, reflecting her international class and prior victories, and she runs for the barn of astute conditioner Doug O'Neill. Hector I. Berrios, a top-level rider who has proven successful in American stakes races, holds the assignment.
While her past performances in South America were strong, the North American dirt circuit, especially at the Grade II level, demands a significant class jump. O'Neill has a history of bringing international runners successfully into the American fray, making her 9/2 morning line a reflection of both her potential and the unknown factor of her true class level compared to the established local stars. Handicappers should scrutinize her recent workouts at Santa Anita for signs of adaptation. A successful performance from her could represent one of the best value Zenyatta Stakes Odds for a win or a high-paying exotic ticket.
Cavalieri steps up as the morning line favorite among the Bob Baffert trainees, carrying an impeccable record of four wins from four lifetime starts. This 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly enters this event with tremendous momentum, having recently defeated her stablemate, Richi, in the Grade I B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. That victory stamps her as the one to beat in this short but extremely talented field.
The presence of leading jockey Juan J. Hernandez, who has been a force on the Southern California circuit, only enhances her appeal. She carries 124 pounds, a standard weight for a Grade II winner. Her undefeated status, proven Grade I victory at Santa Anita, and current excellent form make her the most logical choice and the anchor for many multi-race wagers. Expect her to be heavily bet down from her 7/5 morning line as bettors queue up to bet on the Zenyatta Stakes favorite.
The youngest runner in the field, Howin, takes on older, established rivals, benefiting from a significant 6-pound weight break, carrying only 118 pounds. This 3-year-old filly represents the second of Bob Baffert's three entries. The weight advantage should not be overlooked, especially over the demanding 1 1/16-mile distance, where every pound counts in the late stages of the race.
Jockey Kazushi Kimura picks up the mount, a talented rider looking to make a splash on the West Coast stakes circuit. While Howin's past performances may not be as brilliant as those of her stablemates, Baffert places her here with a purpose, suggesting she has shown substantial development in her morning training.
Her 8/1 morning line price makes her a high-reward choice for those attempting to beat the favorite and construct profitable exotic wagers, offering tantalizing long-shot value for those prepared to dig deep into the fundamentals of Zenyatta Stakes betting.
Richi, the third and final Baffert entrant, is a 5-year-old mare who started her career in Chile, where she achieved a stunning 10-length victory in a Group I race. Since moving to North America, she has shown impressive consistency, never finishing worse than third in her six starts under Baffert's care. Her record includes victories in the Grade III Las Flores Stakes and the Grade II Santa Maria Stakes, proving her aptitude for the tough Southern California dirt tracks.
Most recently, she finished a strong second to stablemate Cavalieri in the Grade I B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile Stakes. She carries the co-high weight of 126 pounds, a burden her class dictates. Antonio Fresu, who has ridden her in her last three starts, retains the mount. Richi’s 3/2 morning line makes her the second favorite, a testament to her consistent high-level performance and her proven ability to compete successfully at this distance against top-tier fillies. She looks like a major player in this year's running and a must-include on your Zenyatta Stakes betting tickets, offering a strong alternative to the slight favorite.
You face an exciting and high-quality edition of the Zenyatta Stakes. The short field of five runners, while limiting exotic options, concentrates the talent, demanding precision in your wagering choices. The Baffert-trained duo of Cavalieri (7/5) and Richi (3/2) commands the market and deserves its status as the prime contenders.
Cavalieri's undefeated record and Grade I win give her the edge as the top selection. Richi's consistency and proven high-class form make her the logical main rival. However, the 6/1 price on the defending champion, Sugar Fish, who already beat this group last year, offers immense value as a viable upset candidate, especially since she has a run under her belt following her layoff.
The 8/1 price on the 3-year-old Howin makes her an intriguing vertical exotic inclusion for the bottom of trifectas and superfectas, benefiting from the weight allowance and the Baffert training expertise. Look carefully at the updated Zenyatta Stakes Odds before post time, as any drift could create an overlay.
For straight wagers, you must choose between Cavalieri and Richi for the win, or take a value shot with Sugar Fish. In the exacta market, a box of 3−5 (Cavalieri and Richi) offers a low-risk, low-reward option. A more profitable exacta strategy involves boxing 3−1 (Cavalieri and Sugar Fish) or 5−1 (Richi and Sugar Fish), targeting a more substantial return. Trifecta and superfecta players should anchor their tickets around the favorites, but make sure to include the value play, Sugar Fish, and the longshot, Howin, for maximum payout potential. This short, high-class field provides the perfect scenario for Zenyatta Stakes bettin,g where precise analysis of the past performances and current form translates directly into profitable opportunities at the window.
The 2025 Zenyatta Stakes stands as a spectacular final showcase for these magnificent fillies and mares, serving as a defining stepping stone to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. The sheer quality of the field, featuring an undefeated Grade I winner, a consistent international star, and the defending champion, guarantees a thrilling and highly competitive race.
Now is the time to translate your careful analysis into action, identifying the best Zenyatta Stakes Odds and formulating your final wagering strategy. Don't let this chance pass you by; lock in your picks, secure your bets, and prepare to witness one of the most significant races on the autumn calendar.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
