Champion Super Corredora returns from 6 ½-month layoff and dazzles in the Grade II Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles Sunday at Santa Anita; Clinches berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff

CHAMPION SUPER CORREDORA RETURNS FROM 6 ½-MONTH LAYOFF AND DAZZLES IN THE GRADE II ZENYATTA STAKES FOR FILLIES AND MARES GOING 1 1/16 MILES SUNDAY AT SANTA ANITA; CLINCHES BERTH TO THE BREEDERS’ CUP DISTAFF

ARCADIA, CA (Sept. 27, 2026)—Sidelined since March, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly Super Corredora returned with a flourish Sunday at Santa Anita when rolling to a dominant front-running victory in the Grade II, $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles Sunday at Santa Anita. With the win, Super Corredora earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.

With Hall of Famer Joel Rosario aboard for the first time, Super Corredora (7-1) went right to the front and set solid fractions of 23.12, 46.44 and 1:10.46 for six furlongs before crossing the wire in 1:42.92 to win comfortably by 2 ¾ lengths.

Finishing second was Majestic Oops (7-2), who was ridden by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Phil D’Amato. Rabeeba (5-2) finished another three-quarters of a length back in third and was followed by Magnificat (7-2), She’s No Quant (19-1), favorite Om N Joy (2-1) and Howin (31-1) to complete the order of finish.

Super Corredora, a daughter of Gun Runner. Is trained by John Sadler. She will now make a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup on Oct. 31 at Keeneland. Last year, Super Corredora won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar to earn the Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding 2-year-old filly.

“John told me not to play around too much and go to the lead,” Rosario said. “She did unbelievable.”

The only potential speed bump for Super Corredora came while still in the starting gate when she reared on her hind legs moments prior to the latch opening. It ultimately proved not to be an issue.

“That had me concerned there for a moment,” Sadler said in the Winner’s Circle.

Added Rosario: “She kind of threw her head in a little bit sideways (in the gate). You have to be careful with that because she can throw her head and miss the break, but she did great.”

Super Corredora is owned by Spartan Equine Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert C. Gardiner and Michael W. Olszewski. She was purchased by West Point for $400,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale.

“I think we had her pretty fit,” Sadler said. “I toyed with the idea of running her in the Torrey Pines (Aug. 30 at Del Mar) or something at the very end at Del Mar, but I just said, ‘No I’ll just take my time and get her ready.’ You know the hesitations. It’s first time against older and there were some nice horses in there, so I was really thrilled with her effort. She trained very well.”

In her only two previous starts this year, both this winter at Santa Anita, Super Corredora finished fourth in the Las Virgenes Stakes and sixth in the GIII Santa Ysabel. She was subsequently sent to Shantera Farm in Kentucky for time off and to regroup. She returned to training in July at Del Mar and had worked eight times for her comeback.

With the victory, Super Corredora improved to 7: 3-1-0 with more than $1.2 million in earnings.

Super Corredora paid $17.40, $6.40 and $3.80. Majestic Oops returned $5.40 and $3.40. Rabeeba, with Juan Hernandez up for trainer Bob Baffert, paid $3.60.

Live racing resumes Friday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 1 p.m. PT.

GRADE II, ZENYATTA STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOEL ROSARIO, SUPER CORREDORA, WINNER: “John told me not to play around too much and go to the lead. She did unbelievable. I want to thank John for the opportunity and West Point and everyone on the team. “I ride a lot of horses for John. Sometimes the decision is a little tough, but I always appreciate John for all the opportunities. She’s pretty nice. She broke well out of there. John said just go on and let her do her thing. She put in a good race. She kind of threw her head in a little bit sideways (in the gate). You have to be careful with that because she can throw her head and miss the break, but she did great.”

TRAINER QUOTES

JOHN SADLER, SUPER CORREDORA, WINNER: “I think we had her pretty fit. I toyed with the idea of running her in the Torrey Pines (Aug. 30) or something at the very end at Del Mar, but I just said, ‘No I’ll just take my time and get her ready.’ You know the hesitations. It’s first time against older and there were some nice horses in there, so I was really thrilled with her effort. She trained very well. I’d like to thank West Point for being really patient with her, and Becky Maker of (owner of Shantera Farm in Versailles Ky),that’s where she vacations in Kentucky. She came back in great shape. “She is going to have a good year next year also. She is a nice filly and what more can you say.” “That had me concerned there for a moment (when Super Corredora reared up in the starting gate just prior to the start of the race).

NOTES: The winning owners are Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert C. Gardiner, and Michael W. Olszewski.