Stars Are Out on Saturday From Coast to Coast

They will be separated by 3000 miles, but two runners that figure to be major threats in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs will be in action, and both will be heavy favorites to get the job done.

At Del Mar, the undefeated Zenyatta will be looking to keep her perfect record intact as she goes off as the overwhelming favorite in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch (G1).

At Saratoga, Quality Road will be the heavy favorite to win the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (G1).

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Zenyatta will be seeking her third straight win in the Hirsch, and for Southern California racing fans, it likely will be the last chance to see the brilliant six-year-old mare in action.

If things go well on Saturday, her next target likely will be a start on conventional dirt in the $350,000 Beldame (G1) at Belmont Park on Oct. 2.

That would be her last prep for a start in either the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) or Ladies’ Classic (G1).

The Hirsch field, from the rail out with riders and weights: Dr. Ronan Lambe’s Princess Taylor, 119 pounds, Victor Espinoza the rider; L-Bo Racing & Lamb’s Made for Magic, 121, Omar Berrio; Mmes. Cecil or Reddam’s Spring Style, 119, Patrick Valenzuela; Olympia Star, Inc.’s Dance To My Tune, 119, David Flores; Zenyatta, and Jerry Jamgotchian’s Rinterval, 119, Rafael Bejarano.

Can the great mare be stopped in the Hirsch?

Her five rivals certainly look overmatched, with perhaps Made for Magic having the best shot of pulling off what would be a huge upset.

The mare won the Milady Handicap (G2) three back in May, but has lost her last two starts.

She faced Zenyatta in March in the Santa Margarita (G1), where she tracked the early pace and tired to finish sixth, beaten 5 ¼ lengths by the champion.

Meanwhile, back at the Spa Quality Road will take on five foes in the Whitney, and the Todd Pletcher trainee is coming into the race riding a three-race win streak.

The colt was set to face off with Zenyatta in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, but the colt acted up terribly at the gate and was a late scratch, while Zenyatta went on to roll by the field and win the race.

Pletcher has worked with the temperamental colt this year, and at least so far he has been on his best behavior.

The colt is perfect in three starts this year. After winning the Hal’s Hope (G3) to start his four-year-old campaign, he came back with a pair of Grade 1 victories in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park and the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

The colt made two starts over the Saratoga main track last summer, winning the Amsterdam (G2) and finishing third behind Summer Bird and Hold Me Back in the Travers (G1).

While Quality Road is 2/5 on the morning line, the race hardly looks like a walkover.

The Albert Stall trained Blame figures to get some attention at the betting windows, coming into the race riding a four-race win streak and having won seven of his ten career starts.

The four-year-old colt is coming off one of his most impressive efforts in winning the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 31.

Then there is the familiar face of 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who is winless in six starts since taking the Run for the Roses.

The gelding made his first start of the year on July 4, trying turf in the Firecracker (G2) at Churchill Downs. The gelding was outrun in the early going and made a mild late run to finish eighth.

The Derby winner will again by ridden by Calvin Borel and will be making his second start since hall of fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas took over the training duties from Chip Woolley.

Haynesfield has racked up eight wins in his 11 career starts and should not be overlooked.

The Steve Asmussen trainee is coming off a career best effort winning the Suburban Handicap (G2) on July 3 at Belmont Park.

Musket Man went down the Triple Crown Trail last year, finishing third in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

The four-year-old colt is coming his career best when coming at Quality Road in deep stretch in the Met Mile, but coming up 1 ½ lengths short at the wire.

Rajiv Maragh takes over as rider as Ramon Dominguez, who piloted the colt in his last three starts sticks with Haynesfield.

Completing the field is Jardim, a Brazilian bred who is 0 for 2 in the allowance ranks since coming to the U.S., and at 30/1 on the morning line seems to lack the talent and class to be competitive in this tough spot.

Supporting the Whitney on the Saratoga card is the $250,000 Test (G1), a seven-furlong race for three-year-old fillies.

The race drew a field of ten, but only nine will start.

The morning line favorite Franny Freud will not make it to the starting gate, as she suffered a ligament injury to her left front ankle and will be retired, making the race a wide open affair.

Among the major contenders are Azalea (G3) winner Pica Slew, Prioress (G1) runner up Champagne d’Oro, and the undefeated Belle of the Hall, winner of The Jostle at Philadelphia Park in her most recent outing.