With the recent retirement of Adare Manor, Flying Connection could emerge as a strong contender in the Sept. 29 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. Flying Connection, who has chased Adare Manor twice this year, is set to face five distaffers in the 1 1/16-mile event that Adare Manor won in 2023.
Not only has Flying Connection performed well against Adare Manor—second in the April 13 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and third in the Aug. 3 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1)—she travels with aplomb for trainer Todd Fincher. The 4-year-old daughter of Nyquist began the year in New Mexico at Sunland Park, winning the Harry Henson Handicap, and has subsequently competed in Arkansas, Kentucky, New York, and California.
For the Zenyatta, Flying Connection simply had to van up the California coast from Del Mar to Santa Anita. She apparently settled right in, clicking off five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Santa Anita Sept. 20. While she has performed well around the country, all seven of Flying Connection's lifetime scores have come in New Mexico, in a maiden event and six stakes.
A good account of herself in the Zenyatta would put Flying Connection over $1 million in career earnings. While the Zenyatta isn't a "Win & You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), Beholder, Zenyatta, Azeri, and Hollywood Wildcat each won the Zenyatta (or its earlier incarnation as the Lady's Secret) and the Distaff in the same season.
Joe Talamo piloted Flying Connection in the Hirsch and will return aboard her in the Zenyatta from post 2.
Two 3-year-olds could have something to say about the Zenyatta outcome. Sugar Fish and Nothing Like You finished one-two in the June 8 Summertime Oaks (G2) at Santa Anita. Since then, Sugar Fish ran sixth in the Hirsch at Del Mar against her elders, while Nothing Like You remained with her age group and ran second to Hope Road in the Torrey Pines Stakes (G3), also at Del Mar.
Bob Baffert, who trained Adare Manor, conditions Nothing Like You and has named Juan Hernandez, Adare Manor's regular rider, on Nothing Like You, who drew post 4. Hernandez has ridden Nothing Like You through much of her career, including the Summertime Oaks and when she won the 2023 Starlet (G2) and Desi Arnaz Stakes. Earlier this year, Frankie Dettori piloted Nothing Like You to a 7 1/2-length victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).
Tyler Baze has ridden Sugar Fish since Jeff Mullins took over her training this year. The Summertime Oaks was the third in a three-race win streak for Sugar Fish that began with a 10-length maiden victory. Baze is back aboard from post 6.
Desert Dawn ran second to Adare Manor in the 2023 Zenyatta. Trained by Phil D'Amato, Desert Dawn doesn't back down from a fight, having encountered the likes of Idiomatic and Sweet Azteca during her career. Desert Dawn won the 2022 Santa Anita Oaks and 2024 La Canada Stakes (G3) and always gives a good account of herself. Umberto Rispoli rides from post 5.
D'Amato also trains 6-year-old Che Evasora, who will be making her U.S. debut after a 23-race career in her native Argentina. In her most recent race there, Che Evasora captured the May 1 Criadores (G1). D'Amato has named Antonio Fresu from post 3.
John Sadler now trains 4-year-old Alpha Bella (Hector Berrios, post 1), who has been competing on the East Coast for Todd Pletcher. Alpha Bella, a 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.
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, September 29, 2024, Race 7Entries: Zenyatta S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Alpha Bella (KY) Hector Isaac Berrios 124 John W. Sadler 8/5 2 2Flying Connection (KY) Joseph Talamo 122 Todd W. Fincher 2/1 3 3Che Evasora (ARG) Antonio Fresu 126 Philip D'Amato 15/1 4 4Nothing Like You (KY) Juan J. Hernandez 122 Bob Baffert 7/2 5 5Desert Dawn (AZ) Umberto Rispoli 124 Philip D'Amato 8/1 6 6Sugar Fish (KY) Tyler Baze 122 Jeff Mullins 5/1
