Cavalieri Wins the Zenyatta Stakes and Heads to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff Undefeated
- Lineage Bloodstock
- Sep 29
- 6 min read
The 2025 edition of the Zenyatta Stakes (G2), held at Santa Anita Park in late September, served as a demanding trial for the older filly and mare division in the United States. Returning from a six-month layoff, Cavalieri (Nyquist), the four-year-old filly trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Speedway Stables, reaffirmed her unbeaten status despite stumbling at the break, recording her fifth consecutive win. In addition to the $200,000 purse, the Zenyatta Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offering the winner a guaranteed berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar in San Diego, California.
The 2025 renewal of the Zenyatta was contested over 1 1/16 miles (1700 meters) on the dirt at Santa Anita. Cavalieri, making her return after a long hiatus, she had not raced since the Beholder Mile (G1) in March, broke awkwardly and lost several lengths at the start. Jockey Juan Hernández quickly settled her behind her stablemate Richi (Practical Joke) and the rest of the field, which included defending champion Sugar Fish (Accelerate) and Peruvian shipper La Kika (Badge of Silver).
Midway through the race, the tempo was controlled by Richi (Practical Joke), the Chilean mare who rose to prominence after victories in her home country’s Gran Premio Tanteo de Potrancas (G1) and Alberto Solari (G1), and who later became a multiple graded stakes winner in the U.S. Cavalieri gradually circled the field, displaying her signature long, sustained drive. In the stretch, Baffert’s pupil ranged up alongside Richi, took command with ease, and drew off by 1¼ lengths, stopping the clock in 1:42.64.
Post-race commentary confirmed the dominant nature of the performance. Hernández noted, “She was nervous but settled nicely after the opening strides and showed her class.” Baffert emphasized the need for a strong prep after the long break and stated that the Zenyatta had served its purpose in getting her race-fit for Del Mar. Richi, piloted by Flavien Prat, finished a game second but could not match the finishing kick of the unbeaten winner. Sugar Fish (Accelerate) was a disappointing fourth, and La Kika (Badge of Silver) never found her rhythm, finishing last.
Richi deserves her own spotlight, not just for her performance but for what she represents for Chilean breeding. A granddaughter of the outstanding miler Practical Joke (Into Mischief), Richi was crowned champion juvenile filly in Chile after winning the Tanteo de Potrancas and other selective events. Upon arriving in the U.S., she adapted quickly to Michael McCarthy’s barn and captured graded victories, including the Santa Maria Stakes (G2). Her runner-up finish in the Zenyatta, after setting the pace, validated her class and confirms her suitability for future intermediate-distance contests. However, she was simply no match for a powerhouse like Cavalieri.
La Kika (Badge of Silver) made her North American debut here, following a successful career in South America where she had dominated several Group 1 events, including the Gran Premio Pamplona in June—earning a “Win and You’re In” berth for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Transferred to Doug O’Neill’s barn, she began working immediately, without a lengthy acclimatization period, which may have affected her dull showing. Off slowly and never a factor, she trailed home well beaten.
More than a Grade 2 race, the Zenyatta Stakes functions as a gateway to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, one of the most prestigious races for dirt fillies and mares in North America. Beyond the monetary prize, the win grants free entry and travel expenses to compete for the $2 million purse in November. Formerly known as the Lady’s Secret Stakes until 2012, the race was renamed in honor of Zenyatta, who won it three years in a row. Notably, in 1993, 2002, 2009, and 2013, winners of this race went on to capture the Distaff—those champions being Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S.), Azeri (Jade Hunter), Zenyatta (Street Cry), and Beholder (Henny Hughes).
In 2025, the Zenyatta showcased a wide regional spectrum: the American standout Cavalieri, Chilean heroine Richi, Peruvian star La Kika, and veteran Sugar Fish. Cavalieri’s dominant return, especially after more than six months away from the races, elevated her status further.
Cavalieri’s victory further highlights the growing influence of Nyquist (Uncle Mo) as a sire and the stamina-rich maternal line of Stiffed (Stephen Got Even). South American interest also surged with Richi’s strong showing, affirming the quality of Chilean-breds on U.S. soil, whereas La Kika’s poor performance raised questions about the strength of the Pamplona “Win and You’re In” series at Monterrico Racecourse in Peru.
With five wins from as many starts, including the La Cañada Stakes (G3), Beholder Mile (G1), and now the Zenyatta (G2), Cavalieri has emerged as one of the season’s brightest stars. Speedway Stables purchased her for $900,000 at the OBS April Sale of 2023, a price that now seems like a bargain, although her earnings to date stand at $438,000. Unbeaten, tactically versatile, and armed with a powerful turn of foot, she’s become a formidable presence in her division.
At the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Cavalieri will face the very best, including champion Idiomatic (Curlin), the accomplished Nest (Curlin), and rising stars Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) and Clicquot (Quality Road). Her most significant advantage: she will enter the Distaff undefeated, a rare occurrence for this race. In fact, no filly has entered the Distaff with a perfect record in recent years. Whether she can carry her dominance over to Del Mar, a different surface and level of competition, remains the key question. However, her commanding Zenyatta performance and the confidence from her team suggest she could follow in the footsteps of Zenyatta herself and win the Distaff without ever having lost a race.
Born in 2013, Nyquist (Uncle Mo) was a brilliant racehorse, Champion 2-Year-Old Male in 2015, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Del Mar Futurity (G1), and FrontRunner Stakes (G1). At 3, he triumphed in the Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1). His record stands at 8 wins from 11 starts, making him one of Uncle Mo’s most accomplished sons. Standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm since 2017, his stud fee in 2025 has risen to $175,000, reflecting continued demand.
From a genetic standpoint, Nyquist blends speed and stamina, with paternal lines through Indian Charlie and In Excess, and maternal ties to Forestry (Storm Cat) and Seeking the Gold (Mr. Prospector). Notably, his pedigree features a 5x5 duplication of Northern Dancer, a legendary breed-shaping influence, contributing to versatility and balance.
Cavalieri’s dam, Stiffed, is a 2011 dark bay mare by Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy) out of High Noon Nellie (Silver Deputy). On the track, she had 5 wins from 19 starts, including black-type victories and graded placings, amassing $256,559 in earnings. Her pedigree combines the stamina of A.P. Indy with the toughness of Silver Deputy. As a broodmare, she has produced other fillies, but Cavalieri is the standout.
This mating—Nyquist x Stiffed—has proven particularly potent, mixing Uncle Mo’s precocity with the durability and mental fortitude of Stephen Got Even. Stiffed’s track record as a Listed winner and G3-placed mare suggests she passed down not only ability but a competitive mindset, traits clearly evident in her daughter.
Cavalieri’s pedigree features rare inbreeding to Cox’s Ridge (Best Turn) via Stephen Got Even and Nyquist’s female line, reinforcing stamina and staying power. Additional influences include Mr. Prospector through Seeking the Gold and Silver Deputy. The A.P. Indy/Silver Deputy cross adds class, resilience, and a mental edge.
For breeders at Coolmore or Darley, Cavalieri’s success supports the strategy of crossing Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) sons with mares descending from A.P. Indy, yielding a blend of speed and depth. Cavalieri’s consistent performances between 1 mile and 1 1/8 miles highlight the effectiveness of this cross.
Post-racing, her broodmare value will be immense. She is a prime candidate for matings with sires that complement her stout maternal influences, making her a potential foundation mare.
Cavalieri’s Zenyatta Stakes win not only preserved her perfect record but also solidified her status as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her ability to overcome adversity, including a bad start and a lengthy layoff, and her superiority over stakes-level rivals like Richi and defending champion Sugar Fish, proved her mettle. South American fans were encouraged by Richi’s brave effort and left wondering about La Kika’s disappointing debut.
From a genetic standpoint, Cavalieri (Nyquist) is the product of a strategically engineered cross, with speed, class, and stamina harmoniously combined. Her Zenyatta win further validates the strength of the Uncle Mo/A.P. Indy dynamic in modern breeding.
As the Breeders’ Cup Distaff approaches, the racing world will be watching closely. Should she maintain her unbeaten record, Cavalieri may join the ranks of legends like Zenyatta, becoming a global icon and a testament to the enduring power of elite bloodlines in the Thoroughbred world.
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