Zenyatta is 5-2 Favorite in the Classic

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss’ Zenyatta, undefeated in 13 career starts, was installed as the 5-2 favorite when she takes on males for the first time in the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I).

She is attempting to be the first female to the win the World Championship's marquee event.

A field of 13, including Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird, was entered in the $5-million, 1 1/4-mile Classic.

Trained by John Shirreffs, Zenyatta has been dominant throughout her career, with her 2008 undefeated seven-race win streak capped by a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies (gr. I) and a championship crown. This year, the daughter of Street Cry has won all four starts. She has earned $2,774,580.

"She deserves a shot here," Jerry Moss of the decision to go outside Zenyatta’s gender class to take on males. "She has done everything we have asked."

Zenyatta will be ridden by regular rider Mike Smith.

Installed as the 7-2 second choice in the Classic was Rip Van Winkle, an Irish import trained by Aidan O’Brien for Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier. The 3-year-old son of Galileo has two consecutive group I wins, including a triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot coming into the Classic. He will have the services of regular rider John Murtagh.

Summer Bird, trained by Tim Ice and ridden by Kent Desormeaux, is the 9-2 third choice.