Horse Racing: Zen a different Breed

HISTORY can be made at the 26th running of the Breeders' Cup tonight where the unbeaten Californian star Zenyatta can become the first mare to land the $5million Classic at Santa Anita.

Only three fillies or mares have tested their mettle in the ten-furlong contest and each has endured abject failure.

None of those squared up to their male rivals for the first time with 13 straight victories to their name, though, and John Shirreffs' five-year-old is carrying the support of the United States on her ample shoulders.

She faces some tough opponents, including Aidan O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle, but can chalk up win number 14 in the shadow of the San Gabriel mountains.

Sir Michael Stoute's Conduit blitzed his rivals with a killer burst of speed in the Turf last year and can repeat the dose under champion jockey Ryan Moore.