Zenyatta checks out all the people there to meet her.
Zenyatta arrives at Churchill Downs
Date: 11/02/2010
On Saturday, Zenyatta will attempt to complete a perfect career of 20 wins in 20 starts, when she goes for the repeat in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. On Tuesday, she made the journey from her Hollywood Park home to Louisville.
On Sunday she jogged a mile over the dirt training track at Hollywood, her last training exercise before leaving California. At 2:00am PT on Tuesday she left her barn to board a chartered Tex Sutton flight from Orange County Airport, with 10 other Southern California-based Breeders' Cup entrants, which left at 5:00am. Her owners Ann and Jerry Moss, trainer John Shirreffs, and racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs boarded a private jet, scheduled to arrive in Louisville before the equine charter, while groom Mario Espinoza accompanied her on the flight. The plane landed at 11:30am ET at Louisville International Airport, and she boarded a chartered horse van accompanied by police escort, arriving at Barn 41 on the Churchill Downs backstretch at 11:50am.
A large group of media, curious onlookers and fans crowded the area where she was unloaded. She circled the paved laneway a few times, and then walked through the barn to the large grassy courtyard facing Longfield Avenue to graze for about 15 minutes. She entertained the crowd by performing her Spanish walk and bowing several times, as well as posing still. Clearly this was the most anticipated arrival at the track in recent memory. There were even some fans on the sidewalk peering through the chain link fence to watch her. She then went to her temporary home, Stall 15 of Barn 41.
Zenyatta showed off quite a bit doing her Spanish Walk "dance" and posing. Shirreffs said, "She's fine, she's very good." Ann Moss said, "Every day that we are with her is special. She's having such a great time, that we're having a great time. She's so amazing to be around. We feel so blessed."
A bit more of Zenyatta posing for everyone. She really knows how to play to the crowd. Shortly after she arrived, she drew post 8 in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday where she is the 8-5 morning line favorite.
Breeders' Cup quick links:
Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - There were 9 races Saturday highlighted by the $5 million Classic where Fort Larned won by a half length over Mucho Macho Man. Also on the card, favorites Wise Dan won the Mile and Shanghai Bobby won the Juvenile. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
Breeders' Cup Friday Results - There were 6 races Friday highlighted by the Ladies' Classic where favorite Royal Delta held off My Miss Aurelia to win for the second year in a row and the Filly and Mare Turf where Zagora was an upset winner. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
2012 Breeders' Cup Entries - Lots of info about the Breeders' Cup, each race, links to profiles for all the horses entered, and info about each race. Free Past Performances - for all the races
Thursday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 49 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on Thursday morning at Santa Anita. The Europeans were out of quarantine and the east coasters delayed by Hurricane Sandy finally arrived, so it was a very busy morning.
Wednesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 34 of the Breeders' Cup horses out in the fog on Wednesday morning at Santa Anita. The sun didn't make it out until 8:30am and visibility was quite poor at times.
Tuesday Breeders' Cup Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 69 of the Breeders' Cup horses out on the track Tuesday morning at Santa Anita, including Classic favorite Game On Dude and 7 more of the Classic horses.
Breeders' Cup Weather - What will the weather be like at Santa Anita Park on November 2 and 3? Here are lots of places to find out!
2011 Breeders' Cup Saturday Results - The feature race was the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic where Drosselmeyer was an upset winner. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 9 races here.
2011 Breeders' Cup Friday Results - Friday was headlined by the $2 million Ladies Classic (formerly the Distaff) won by Royal Delta. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
Review: Crushing the Cup 2012 - by Jim Mazur and Peter Mallett. An invaluable tool for trying to unlock the mysteries of handicapping the Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita updated for 2012.
Breeders' Cup History - Historical info, past results, and photos from previous runnings
The Breeders' Cup Championship Day - The official page for the Breeders' Cup championship races. Just about anything you need to know about it: results, video clips, and race calls for past years, and eventually nominations, entries, and results.
Free Prep Replays - for major prep races in the Breeders' Cup Challenge. The ones with camera logos have video available.
Blazing Silks, Breeders' Cup Edition- an interactive social network game that allows horse racing fans and social gamers to train and care for Thoroughbred horses.
