ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Zenyatta made a successful return to the races Saturday, winning the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap by 1¼ lengths and extending her career victory streak to 15-0.
     
The 6-year-old mare trailed a field of seven rivals going 1 1-8 miles in her season debut before unleashing her trademark late run to win under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
     
Zenyatta was timed in 1:48.20 on the synthetic surface and paid $2.60 to win as the overwhelming 1-5 wagering favorite in her first race in four months.
     
In New Orleans, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra was upset in her season debut, possibly jeopardizing the highly anticipated first meeting with Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom next month in Arkansas.
     
She was beaten three-quarters of a length by Zenyatta's stablemate, Zardana; John Shirreffs trains both Southern California-based mares.
     
The two leading ladies of American racing were using Saturday's races as tuneups for their scheduled April 9 showdown. Zenyatta's co-owner, Jerry Moss, said he intends to run her there as planned.
     
On their way to the winner's circle, Smith stopped Zenyatta in front of the grandstand and doffed his helmet to the heavens as the crowd cheered their hometown heroine.
     
After soaking up the applause, Zenyatta pranced toward the jammed winner's circle, where Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman was among those celebrating her victory.
     
Moss and his wife, Ann, were going to retire Zenyatta after she beat the boys in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in November on the same track. But they changed their minds in January, putting her back into training instead of into the breeding business.
     

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