Zenyatta, who will make her first start of the year March 13 in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, will carry top weight of 127 pounds in the race. The weight assignment is eight to 19 pounds more than her possible competitors.
Multiple champion Zenyatta, who is unbeaten in 15 starts, is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss and trained by John Shirreffs. She will be ridden again by Mike Smith.
Zenyatta, by Street Cry, has won carrying more weight; last June she toted 129 pounds in the Vanity Invitational Handicap (gr. I).
Zenyatta has not started since becoming the first female to beat males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Santa Margarita is a prep race for the Apple Blossom Stakes (gr. I), when it is anticipated Zenyatta would meet 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.
Invitations were extended to 17 fillies and mares, with Tuscan Evening second on the list of weights at 119 pounds. Next is St Trinians at 117 though she is unlikely to start, having run March 6 in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Next comes Mushka (116 pounds), Striking Dancer (115), My Baby Baby (113) Life Is Sweet (113), and Pretty Unusual (113).
