Zenyatta named to National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame

In one of the biggest no-brainers in horse racing, Zenyatta was named to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. The mare that captured the hearts of not only Southern California but the country retired after her 6-year-old campaign in 2010. She won 19 straight races before losing her last race to Blame in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Also inducted were mare Rachel Alexandra, jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer Steve Asmussen. The induction ceremony will be Aug. 12 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Lexington, Ky.

Zenyatta didn’t start racing until late in her 3-year-old season, won her first two starts, and then ran nothing but graded stakes the rest of her career. John Shirreffs was her only trainer and Mike Smith was her jockey for the last 17 races.

Jerry and Ann Moss bought her for $60,000 at the 2005 Keeneland fall yearling sale.

Zenyatta has struggled in her post-career life as a broodmare. Her first two foals--Cozmic One and Ziconic--have struggled to find success on the the track. Her last two foals died. A filly nicknamed Z Princess was in an accidental collision with another horse while playing, and a foal born early this month died from a respiratory problem.

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly to win the Preakness since 1924 in 2009 and retired after her 4-year-old season. Dominguez won 4,985 races and almost $192 million as a jockey racing mostly on the East Coast. Asmussen is an active trainer and has two strong Kentucky Derby horses this year in Gun Runner, winner of the Louisiana Derby, and Creator, winner of the Arkansas Derby. He also trained Rachel Alexandra and Curlin.

john.cherwa@latimes.com

Twitter: @jcherwa