For Zenyatta, the wait is over–but not the weight. The undefeated mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds today when she makes her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

The 6-year-old daughter of Street Cry, who has not started since making history by becoming the first female to defeat males in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) last Nov. 7 for her 14th straight victory, carries her second-highest impost ever. She carried 129 pounds to a 2 1/2-length triumph in Hollywood Park’s grade I Vanity Handicap last June 27. Runner-up Briecat toted 114.

"I sure hope it won’t make a difference," said regular rider Mike Smith, who has ridden Zenyatta to 13 straight victories. "But it is a lot of weight to spot horses, especially in her first race back. On the bright side, she’s a big mare. She handles weight really well. It is a lot of weight to spot, but what are you going to do? We got what we got."

Zenyatta also drew post position 8 in a nine-horse field, but that was readily dismissed by Smith. "With her (come from behind) style, outside, inside isn’t a concern, because she’s usually way back. The post position should be fine. She’s training well, and if she gets an opportunity to run her race, I think she’s really ready for a big performance