Zenyatta remains unbeaten with Santa Margarita win

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03/13/2010 - Arcadia, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Two-time champion mare Zenyatta made a successful 2010 debut Saturday in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita Park. The six-year-old mare is now perfect in 15 career starts.

Zenyatta, trained by John Shirreffs, started from post eight with Mike Smith again with the mount. Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta broke cleanly and immediately settled into last in the eight horse field.

Setting the pace in the 1 1/8-mile race was Dance to My Tune with Made for Magic pressing the pace in second. Zenyatta was running about a dozen lengths off the lead and was racing off the rail.

Zenyatta began her move from the rear as the field entered the far turn. Still off the rail, Zenyatta drew within a few lengths of the leaders as the field entered the stretch.

With a furlong to run the 3-10 favorite angled to the inside and found room to take the lead. Zenyatta posted a one-length victory over Dance to My Tune with Floating Heart finishing third.

Completing the order of finish was Striking Dancer, Pretty Unusual, Made for Magic, Pretty Katherine and Gripsholm Castle. Powerofvoodoo was a scratch.

The time for the Santa Margarita was 1:48.20 on Santa Anita's synthetic track.

"Obviously, he (Mike Smith) went to the inside, and then had to come back out," Shirreffs said. "So, I just have a lot of faith in Mike. I know once he gets her in the clear, he has a good chance. She's cut in between horses and everything, but when you have a big X on your back, a lot of places don't open up that normally would."

The last two years Zenyatta has been voted champion older female and for 2009 finished second for Horse of the Year to Rachel Alexandra. She won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic and last year became the first female to capture the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are expected to start in the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park on Friday, April 9. Earlier Saturday, Rachel Alexandra was upset in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Fair Grounds. The reigning Horse of the Year was a close second to Zardana who is also trained by Shirreffs.

"We're just excited she's back," said Jerry Moss. "She looks amazing. Everybody's happy. We watched Rachel's race in the paddock. I'm sorry she lost, but she lost to a better horse today. We'll see what happens the next race. Zardana might try to get to that same race (Apple Blossom) and that would be fine."

Zenyatta has won all 15 career starts for more than $5.6 million.

Earlier on the day, Shirreffs announced that Life is Sweet has been retired. The winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic had muscle cramps after a workout Saturday at Hollywood Park.

Zenyatta returned $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Dance To My Tune paid $19.00 and $9.40, and Floating Heart paid $4.20 to show.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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