Zenyatta takes Clement L. Hirsch in photo-finish

Horseracing Betting Lines

08/09/2009 - Del Mar, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Zenyatta, reigning champion older female, needed every inch of the 1 1/16 miles to win Sunday's $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. The five-year-old remains undefeated in 12 career starts, including a second straight Hirsch Stakes.

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta and jockey Mike Smith came from last in the seven horse field to capture the race by a head over Anabaa's Creation.

The champion left from the outside post as Lethal Heat set the pace followed by Champagne Eyes and Anabaa's Creation. Zenyatta was about 13-lengths off the pace up the backstretch.

Trained by John Shirreffs, the favorite began her move around the turn for home, picking off rivals four wide as she gained ground. Coming off the turn Lethal Heat had a short lead with Dawn After Dawn second, Anabaa's Creation in third and Zenyatta joining the group.

At the top of the stretch Zenyatta still had ground to make up as Lethal Heat and Anabaa's Creation continued on the front end. Anabaa's Creation passed Lethal Heat with about 50 yards to go, but was unable to hold off Mike Smith and his 1-5 favorite.

Zenyatta caught Anabaa's Creation at the wire and was credited with a head victory over the mare and jockey Tyler Baze. Finishing third was Lethal Heat followed by Life Is Sweet, Dawn After Dawn, Tidal Dance and Champagne Eyes.

"It was close, it was really close," said Shirreffs who also trains Life Is Sweet.

The time for the Clement L. Hirsch was 1:43.24 on Del Mar's all-weather surface.

Briecat, Patricia's Gem and Hot n' Dusty were all scratched from the race Sunday morning.

"My hat's off to the competition. They ran an incredible race today," Smith commented after the win.

Zenyatta picks up $180,000 with her third win of 2009 to increase her career earnings to nearly $2.6 million. The mare is second to Rachel Alexandra in the current NTRA national poll.

Zenyatta opened this year with wins in the Milady and Vanity Handicaps after concluding 2008 by capturing the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic.

Zenyatta returned $2.40, $2.20 and $2.10. Anabaa's Creation paid $7.60 and $5.80, and Lethal Heat paid $5.20 to show.

A major topic of conservation in racing is the possible meeting of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. Jess Jackson, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra, has been emphatic that his filly will not run in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, because of the track's synthetic surface.

Elsewhere in thoroughbred racing, Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito announced Sunday morning that two-time Whitney Handicap winner Commentator has been retired after finishing third in Saturday's renewal at Saratoga.

"He's officially retired. We'll let him go out on a high note," Zito said. "It would have been wonderful for him to win. Physically, there's nothing wrong with him other than his age. Considering what he has to do to run back in those Grade 1 races, we thought this was the best thing to do."

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

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NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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