Santa Anita announced Sunday that undefeated filly Cavalieri secured her Breeders’ Cup berth with a commanding victory in the “Win and You’re In” GII Zenyatta Stakes, overcoming a troubled start to remain perfect in five career starts.
The Speedway Stables colorbearer, sent off as the 3-5 favorite, recovered quickly after missing the break and powered to a 1 3/4-length victory under jockey Juan Hernandez. The win guarantees her a spot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November.
Cavalieri entered the Zenyatta off an impressive victory in the GI Beholder Mile in March, where she defeated stablemate Richi by three-quarters of a length. The 4-year-old daughter of Nyquist began her 2025 campaign with a win in the GIII La Canada Stakes on January 19, marking her first graded stakes triumph.
Despite tossing her head and hopping at the gate opening, Cavalieri quickly recovered to secure her preferred stalking position behind the pacesetter. She tracked fractions of :23.67, :48 flat, and 1:11.60 for six furlongs before engaging with Richi at the top of the stretch.
“When she missed the break I thought, ‘Well, oh well,'” said trainer Bob Baffert. “But we knew that she is very talented. He got her up there. Juan, he didn’t panic. He was patient with her and got her in a nice spot down the backside.”
The talented filly gradually extended her advantage through the stretch, crossing the wire with ears pricked under confident handling. Richi held second, while their stablemate Howin, a multiple graded stakes-placed daughter of Gun Runner, finished third.
Hernandez attributed the troubled start to race-day excitement. “She was acting up, she was nervous,” he explained. “It had been a while since she had run so she was excited. Even in the post parade she was dancing a little bit.”
He added: “I asked her to pick it up, she switched leads, she took off and passed the horse in front of me. She is back.”
Baffert believes the time off between races actually benefited Cavalieri. “She is just so talented, the further, the better for her,” he said. “This will set her up perfectly for the Breeders’ Cup.”
Pedigree Notes
Cavalieri is the most accomplished progeny of her dam Stiffed (Stephen Got Even), who was herself a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed performer with earnings of $256,559. Cavalieri’s older half-sister, Affirmative Lady (Arrogate), is a graded stakes winner who captured the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks.
The winner is the first in her immediate family to secure Grade I black type. Stiffed has a yearling colt by Mandaloun and unfortunately delivered a stillborn Elite Power foal this season.
Stiffed is a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Speaking (Mr Speaker) and Sea Streak (Sea Wizard). Her half-sisters have produced notable runners including multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Great Navigator (Sea Wizard) and multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Riding Pretty (Jack Milton).
Cavalieri completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.64 over a fast track, returning $3.40 as the favorite. She improved her perfect record to 5-for-5 with career earnings of $438,000.
After hopping at the start CAVALIERI ($3.40) digs in under @JJHernandezS19 to win the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at @santaanitapark. The undefeated 4YO Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) filly is trained by @BobBaffert and owned by Speedway Stables. #BC25 @BreedersCup @LanesEndFarms pic.twitter.com/PKbr8CGtT1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
After hopping at the start CAVALIERI ($3.40) digs in under September 28, 2025
