Morning roundup

Zenyatta beat the boys in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic in Arcadia, Calif., running her record to 14-0 in a race delayed briefly when Quality Road bucked violently in the starting gate.

Zenyatta rallied from last in the early going and fought off Gio Ponti in the stretch to win by a length Saturday at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, the 5-year-old mare ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.62 and paid $7.60, $5.60 and $3.80 as the 5-2 wagering favorite of the 58,845 fans.

Gio Ponti returned $9.20 and $6.60, while Britain-bred Twice Over paid $7 to show.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird was fourth, and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird was ninth, extending his losing streak to five straight since his 50-1 upset on the first Saturday in May. Irish import Rip Van Winkle was 10th.

Quality Road was scratched from the race.

Mets reliever J.J. Putz and Twins pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency.

Putz became a free agent one day after New York declined his $9.1 million option and chose to pay a $1 million buyout.

A total of 120 players have filed for free agency since the World Series, and about 60 more are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 19 deadline.

Phil Mickelson took the 54-hole lead in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai with a 5-under 67, setting up today’s matchup with Tiger Woods in the final World Golf Championship of the year. Mickelson strung together three birdies over the final five holes to turn a two-shot deficit into a two-shot lead. He finished at 14-under 202. Woods failed to make a birdie over the final eight holes for a 70, leaving him two shots behind. Woods was tied with Nick Watney, who holed a 50-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a 70.

From wire reports

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