ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Private Mission won the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths Sunday at Santa Anita as part of a 1-2 finish in the Grade 2 race for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Private Mission ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.77 and paid $4.20, $2.40 and $2.20 as the even-money favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares.
The 3-year-old filly earned a fees-paid berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff next month at Del Mar.
Baffert’s other entry, As Time Goes By, returned $2.80 and $2.20.
Private Mission had been set to run last week in a Grade 1 stakes at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania, but Baffert kept her home instead.
“I decided this would be best for her with the Breeders’ Cup in mind, we didn’t want to stress her,” he said. “She’s on the improve, getting better and better. I’m really happy with the way both fillies ran.”
Private Mission earned $120,000 for the win, increasing her career earnings to $256,800, with four wins in five starts.
Miss Bigly was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $3.40 to show.
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