Zenyatta strolls into sunset as breeding career awaits

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Zenyatta bid a final farewell to her legions of fans on Sunday at Hollywood Park, pricking her cotton-stuffed ears at the gaggle of cameras one more time before heading into retirement.

The 6-year-old superstar mare, who won 19 of her 20 career races, walked around the paddock before taking to the track for a last stroll. Fans cheered and snapped photos as Zenyatta made her way along the grandstand so everyone could see her.

"It's amazing the following she has, and we're fans ourselves," said Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a University of Arizona grad.

Zenyatta entered the paddock in between races wearing a pink saddlecloth from one of her wins in the Apple Blossom Handicap. Groom Mario Espinoza walked her in circles as 11,216 fans yelled her name and photographed every shake of her head.

She made her farewell tour without a rider in the saddle, a way to keep her low-key in an atmosphere that otherwise suggested she would be racing. It was several minutes before Zenyatta briefly high-stepped, a move that drew an approving roar from fans.

"You can have a 20-year lull and when something like Zenyatta comes along, the public responds," said Bo Derek, a member of the California Horse Racing Board. "The fans confirm I'm not the only horse racing fan."

As Zenyatta walked onto the track, a replay of her victory in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic played on the videoboard - the race that bolstered her credentials when she beat the boys.

Zenyatta retired last month after finishing second by a head to Blame in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs for the only blemish on her record. She heads off to Kentucky today to begin a breeding career.

"We've been very lucky and blessed to have Zenyatta," owner Jerry Moss said. "We have a great horse retiring 100 percent sound."