Now he's on unbeaten Songbird, who takes an 11-race winning streak into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff, Friday's headline race on the opening day of the two-day world championships at Santa Anita, which is hosting for a record ninth time. Smith won the 2008 Distaff aboard Zenyatta, and he later guided her to a thrilling victory against males in the 2009 BC Classic at Santa Anita. With the exception of fellow 3-year-old Land Over Sea, Songbird is challenging older horses in the Distaff. The nine-horse field includes Gun Runner, third in this year's Kentucky Derby, and last year's BC Sprint winner Runhappy." His father is the leading international trainer in Cup history, with 10 wins.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 04, 2016 05:41 UTC