Zenyatta says goodbye to fans in true Hollywood style

Zenyatta bid farewell to her California fans (Alex Evers/EquiSport Photos)

A vocal and appreciative crowd of 11,216 bid farewell to ZENYATTA as
the brilliant six-year-old mare made her final appearance at Hollywood Park
on Sunday.

After spending some time in the paddock, the daughter of Street Cry
(Ire), who finished her racing career with 19 wins in 20 starts and more
than $7.3 million in earnings, was paraded in front of the grandstand
and the clubhouse area.

Then, brought to the winner’s circle, a place she visited eight times
at her home track, Zenyatta was joined by a large gathering of media,
photographers and others, including those closest to her.

Zenyatta and Smith took a one last tour of the track (Benoit Photos)

For a brief time Smith, who was aboard the massive dark bay mare for her
final 17 starts, took over the lead on Zenyatta, parading her on the track and
giving fans a perfect photo op of the two together.

During a brief ceremony, Zenyatta was honored with a personalized Los
Angeles Dodgers jersey (#10) by Lou Johnson, the former player who now
serves as both the team’s community relations liaison as well as a
member of the speakers bureau. In addition, Anita Mannila, representing
Las Profesionales, presented Zenyatta a blanket.

“It was a tough morning to say goodbye to ‘Big Mama,'” Wilson
said earlier in the day as Zenyatta galloped on the training track for a final time under
Willard. “I’ve seen her here for 4 1/2 years.
I think I’m going to miss her more than all my wives (Wilson has been married
four times).”

Though the festivities were scheduled for after the 6TH race, fans began streaming
into the Shirreffs stable area Sunday morning
to bid farewell to Zenyatta several hours before her appearance on track. On the front side late in the morning, a long line of fans awaited autographs
from Smith while others chose items from a memorabilia
stand.