Zenyatta gets first taste of track

American phenomenon Zenyatta had her first gallop at Churchill Downs on Wednesday while Japan’s hope Espoir City completed his final workout ahead of the Breeders Cup Classic this weekend.

Zenyatta is vying for a second-straight win in the Breeders Cup on top of a 2008 Ladies Classic victory to extend her stunning undefeated record to 20 wins and no defeats.

A repeat win at the five-million dollar event, could also land the mare Horse of the Year honours.

Watched by a huge crowd on Wednesday, Zenyatta showed why she is an eight-to-five favourite.

“I thought she looked great on the track,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “She handled the track very well and was really happy to get out there.”

Espoir City finished the half-mile in 49.60 seconds with rider Tetsuzo Sato on board.

Espoir City, who has won 11 of 20 races in his home country, will be making his first start outside of Japan. The five-year-old has earned almost six million dollars in prize money.

“Today was sort of the final touchup,” trainer Akio Adachi said.

“There were no instructions, no specific fractions requested. I just wanted the jockey to feel how the horse was.”

Adachi believes his horse is ready for the Breeders Cup.

“Espoir City is quite versatile,” he said. “No instructions will be given to the jockey. We will leave it to him. If he breaks well, he can settle wherever. If he doesn’t break well, he can cover ground. I’m not concerned.”

Espoir City is a 20-1 favourite and will start from the No. 11 post.

“In his recent races, he has been up front,” Adachi said.

“I’m quite certain that he has the speed to keep up with the pace here. I’m quite confident that he will handle the distance as well.”