Three-year-old Zensational (Unbridled's Song--Joke, by Phone Trick), a three-time Grade I winner and five-for-eight lifetime, has been retired, it was announced yesterday. He has arrived at Hill ‘n' Dale Farms in Lexington, where he will stand for 2010. The 9-5 favorite in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, the grey broke slowly, rushed up to press the pace, and weakened late to be fifth, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths by winner Dancing In Silks (Black Minnaloushe).

The loss did nothing to tarnish his reputation in trainer Bob Baffert's eyes. "Zensational lost all chance in the Breeders¹ Cup when he broke badly from the one post,Baffert said, adding, "He¹s incredible. He¹s a beast. He's one of the three best horses I've ever trained--he's one of the few you get in a lifetime. He is as fast, as powerful and as good-looking as any horse you will ever see. He breezed faster than really good horses run." Explaining the decision to retire the colt, owner Ahmed Zayat said, "Having already won three Grade I races, we feel that he will be more valuable at stud. We are committing a majority of our best mares to Zensational, including the dam of multiple Grade I-winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile, and we look forward to his chances as a stallion." Zensational will stand for $25,000, with a 10-percent discount if the fee is paid on or before Nov. 15, 2010.