ZENYATTA STAKES (Grade 1)

IT was just another day in the office for super mare, Beholder. The five-year-old mare was once again much the best taking the $300,000 Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes in an easy gallop.

The victory was the sixth straight win for the daughter of Henny Hughes, her ninth Grade 1, and 11th at Santa Anita. It was her third win in the Zenyatta, equaling only that great mare herself, who also won the race three times when it was called the Lady Secret Stakes.

“It really was pretty much what I had hoped for from her,” winning trainer Richard Mandella said. “I hate to say ‘easy,’ but it really did look easy.”

Breaking from the outsidepost in the field of eight, she raced four wide in the first turn and three wide for much of the backstretch before making her move.

“Gary didn’t want trouble,” Mandella said. “He just kept her clear and had a nice workout.”

Pacesetter My Sweet Addiction, hung on gamely for second, three and a quarter lengths back, but Beholder was never fully extended and eased home.

Beholder’s connections will now decide to run her against males again in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“That would be the plan,” Mandella said.

“Anything can change and nothing is in stone, but as of now, there’s no reason not to think of that.”

“I’m not going to make any predictions,” Stevens added, “but I can’t wait to go to Keeneland.”