Zenyatta mingles with her fans

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Zenyatta went back to the training track at Hollywood Park on Saturday for a light jog under exercise rider Steve Willard, then had an easy day on Sunday, merely walking before her usual late-morning routine, entertaining visitors at the barn of her trainer, John Shirreffs.

On Sunday, about two dozen fans fed Zenyatta carrots, gave her peppermints, petted her, and took pictures with the gentle giant, who was happy to stand in the sun in a grassy area just outside her barn.

One of the visitors was Michael Silber, a long-time racing fan and owner who brought his two children, McKenna and Cam.

“I held my camera up, and she looks and stares like she knows what’s going on,” Silber said. “This is what racing needs. It’s the equivalent of going to an autograph session.”

Zenyatta was out for about an hour before Frank Leal, Shirreffs’ foreman, took her back in. Shirreffs signed autographs for the fans who visited, some of whom brought trading cards and bobbleheads of Zenyatta.