2010 APPLE BLOSSOM HANDICAP LATEST ODDS SHOW ZENYATTA SET TO ROMP

The now-legendary mare Zenyatta (Street Cry) looks set to make it a perfect 16-0 as she lines up in what many will consider to be “the race that could have been”. It was supposed to be a bit different than this- the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap was meant to have the two sharpest females on the planet line up against each other with Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia D’Oro) set to duel for a whopping $5,000,000 purse.
 HERE FOR YOUR FREE £25 BET WITH BETFAIR!
Instead, Rachel lost her opening race of the year to the talented Zardana (Crimson Tide)- a stablemate of Zenyatta. Zenyatta did her part by pulling off a thrilling victory in the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Handicap- winding her way through traffic under a hand-ride from top jock Mike Smith. John Sherriffs and Co. will have to settle for their share of a mere $500,000 purse as the undefeated mare lines up for another shot at destiny.
The morning-line has been predictable with Zenyatta priced at 3/5- surely dropping to 2/5 and possibly 1/5 by post time. This field of five isn’t exactly a lethal-looking bunch with none of Zenyatta’s competition having won anything above Grade 3 level. I think that the only thing keeping her from the win would be a serious error or another horse getting in her way deliberately. Zenyatta’s big frame can keep her from being affected too hard by bumps and jostling- especially on the rail. I don’t think Smith will have to dig too deep here and will likely spare the whip.
If you’re looking for value, you’re going to have to go big-game hunting in the exotic market. On the bottom end of my trifecta ticket I’m really confident in the ability of 7/2 War Echo (Tapit) and 3/1 Just Jenda (Menifee). Of the two, I think War Echo gets the edge in class by a bit with her last race being a bit of a blip- a fifth place finish at Oaklawn when sent off as the lukewarm 12/5 favourite. Prior to that War Echo had taken a stakes race at Fairgrounds in her season opener. I think the Asmussen-trained chestnut will appreciate the first run around the Oaklawn surface and will have learned from that outing.
Just Jenda hasn’t scored since the Monmouth Oaks last July but has been running there-or-thereabouts just outside the money for most of the season. She was laid off since October before returning in early March in the Grade 3 Azeri Stakes at Oaklawn. I expect improvement from her so a place or show is a very strong possibility.
My top 3 is basically a bet against 10/1 Taptam (Pleasant Tap) and 8/1 Be Fair (Exchange Rate), both of which boast uninspiring records and will be listed at very long odds. Both of these charges add value to the bottom end of your ticket so may be worth a play in the exotics if you see Just Jenda or War Echo not getting the right trip. I think that both can handle 1 and 1/8 fairly easily and neither of Taptam or Be Fair possesses much late pace.