ARCADIA – Nothing beats perfection.

Saturday at Breeders' Cup XXVI, the Sport of Kings crowned its queen as Zenyatta whipped the world.

Overcoming traffic problems and pre-race dramatics at Santa Anita, undefeated Zenyatta powered past 11 of the globe's most accomplished colts and geldings to win the $5 million Breeder's Cup Classic and become the first mare to win America's richest race.

Horse of the Year?

"She's horse of the decade," jockey Mike Smith said.

"I can't even speak," said trainer John Shirreffs, brushing back tears. "She's unbelievably breathtaking."

In what is likely the final start of her meteoric career, Zenyatta gave Shirreffs a first-ever sweep of the Cup's marquee events. Shirreffs also trains Life Is Sweet, who won Friday's Ladies' Classic.

Said Shirreffs: "In my barn, Life Is Sweet is the princess, but Zenyatta is the queen.

"I can't believe it," Shirreffs repeated above the roar of the crowd. "She is all heart. The way the crowd took to her was just amazing. They love her."

Now 14 for 14, Zenyatta stamped herself as perhaps the greatest filly or mare in thoroughbred history. A $60,000 purchase, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Street Cry swelled her bankroll to $5,474,580.

"It takes an incredible mare to do this," Smith said. "Her size (17.2 hands) has something to do with it. … She just does what she has to do."

"We're over the moon," said California horse racing commissioner Jerry Moss, who owns the 5-year-old mare with his wife, Ann. "We beat the Kentucky Derby winner, the Belmont (Stakes) winner, the best turf horse in the country. All you can do is beat who shows up. She deserves now to go out with her record intact."

On a gorgeous November day, an announced on-track crowd of 58,845 cheered wildly before and after the Classic for Zenyatta. During the post parade, she pranced and posed, soaking up the public adoration.

"She's straight from heaven, a great, great gift," Ann Moss said. "What I like, she's so feminine – dancing, strutting, showing off her beautiful majestic self."

This unforgettable Classic capped the Cup's two-day, 14-stakes $25.5 million extravaganza in which three champions retained Cup titles.

The Zenyatta express almost was derailed before the Classic's start. With the other horses standing quietly in the gate, the stakes was delayed 12 minutes by 11-1 long shot Quality Road, who bucked and kicked out repeatedly while refusing to load.

Blindfolded, he walked into the stall but then broke through and spun wildly. The colt became the first gate scratch in Breeders' Cup history. The field had to be backed out and reloaded, distracting Zenyatta. She started flat-footed and last.

"I was getting worried," jockey Smith said. "I thought, 'Uh-oh, this is bad.' I had to actually get her out of there; she missed the break. At the half-mile pole, I thought, 'There's no way I'm going to get around all these horses.' "

Charging from more than a dozen lengths behind the pacesetters, Zenyatta zigzagged through heavy traffic on the far turn – first skimming the rail, then angling through the pack – to blast home six wide and catch Arlington Million winner Gio Ponti about 20 yards from the wire to win by one length.

"The crowd started screaming, and she was looking around," Smith said. "I thought she was going to stop and pose again."

Behind Zenyatta and Gio Ponti, British invader Twice Over finished third, with Belmont winner Summer Bird fourth. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird finished ninth. A lukewarm favorite, Zenyatta paid $7.60.

Zenyatta, who covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.62, wasn't the only distaff star to beat the boys Saturday. Goldikova did it with the same dramatic flair.

Goldikova ($4.80), a 4-year-old filly, also looked desperately beat before circling a 11-horse field to win the Mile by a half-length over Courageous Cat and Justenuffhumor. Beloved in Europe, the scrappy bay filly gave trainer Freddie Head back-to-back wins in the Mile to go with his back-to-back riding victories in this race – coincidentally aboard another filly, Miesque.

"Having ridden a horse like Miesque, then to train a horse like this one is something you dream of," he added. "The amazing thing, she does everything herself. No matter where, she gives her best. She's happy wherever she goes. It's quite special."

In the Turf, Conduit ($3.80) ran down Presious Passion to cap his brilliant bi-continental career. Conduit's repeat rewarded trainer Michael Stoute with his fifth Cup. The 4-year-old Irish colt is now headed for a stud career in Japan.

Zenyatta, who won the 2008 Ladies' Classic, now has two Cups, too.

Said Smith: "She didn't even take a deep breath when we were done. She's just incredible."

Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.