Zenyatta

Jill's Journal: “The reaction to the big mare is just this side of amazing. She is a rock star, she is a head of state, she is Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana and Willie Mays and Mickey Mouse and Luke Skywalker all rolled into one. The crowd lining the aisle outside the paddock roars for her—and she dances.” --Mac McBride

This photo of Zenyatta was taken Tuesday by Rick Samuels, soon after she’d stepped off the plane from California and arrived at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The best horse in the world --and one mentioned in the same revered breaths as Secretariat and Man o’ War-- makes what is expected to be her career finale tomorrow as she attempts to defend her title in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. Zenyatta became the only female to ever win the uber-prestigious race over the boys last year. She did it in such spine-tingling fashion, from last to first when she looked severely beaten, that it is frequently compared to Secretariat’s 1973 Belmont Stakes as the most thrilling race ever captured on film. (She also won the Breeders’ Cup the year prior, when she exclusively faced fillies and mares in the Ladies’ Classic).

Zenyatta has never tasted defeat in 19 starts, rarified air for any athlete, but particularly astounding at the highest echelon of this sport. Like the Super Bowl, the Breeders’ Cup, racing’s championship, rotates locations each year. I’ve had the privilege of not only attending, but working, several Breeders’ Cups and certainly have never missed one on t.v. when I couldn’t be there in person. It would kill me to miss it any year, but it’s particularly out of the question with Zenyatta in it. We’ll make a special stop tomorrow for us all to enjoy it on television.

I’ve been completely in love with Zenyatta and her larger-than-life personality since 2008 and the girls have followed suit. Rob indulges us all. I’ve been on pins and needles all week in anticipation of the race tomorrow against an ultra-tough field of top males. Many friends and acquaintances are there in person and I've never been more jealous in my life -- but I know I can't complain too much as we live a pretty blessed life ourselves. The Classic field is scheduled to break from the starting gate at 6:45pm EST and it will be shown live on ESPN.

She knows she’s a superstar; she plays to the crowd, is extremely aware of cameras, and literally dances her way to the gate as fans roar their approval. And that doesn’t even begin to describe the theatrics she engages in during races. Go Zenyatta!!