Zenyatta to be honored at Hollywood Park meeting

It’s the biggest weekend of the 27-day Hollywood Park meeting, with three Grade I stakes as part of the track’s three-day turf festival, culminating on Sunday when unbeaten Zenyatta will make an appearance after the seventh race, allowing fans to salute her before she heads off for retirement in Kentucky and breeding duties.

The $300,000 Citation Handicap starts off the weekend festivities today at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, followed on Saturday by the $300,000 Matriarch Stakes at one mile on the turf. On Sunday, it’s the $300,000 Hollywood Derby for 3-year-olds going 1 1/4 miles on the turf.

Sunday’s appearance by Zenyatta is in appreciation of her adoring fans who came out by the thousands earlier this month to root the 5-year-old mare to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita, making her 14 for 14 in her career. She will be paraded on the track.

The Oak Tree Racing Assn. already has announced it will be changing the name of its Grade I Lady’s Secret Stakes to the Zenyatta.

Jockey Mike Smith, trainer John Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss will participate in the celebration. The track is giving out a free “Girl Power” poster, along with a DVD that has each of Zenyatta’s victories.

-- Eric Sondheimer