Zenyatta galloped 1 1/2 miles on Hollywood Park’s main track on Thursday, two days before her final workout in preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.

Zenyatta began her gallop near the head of the stretch and did a complete circuit before pulling up on the backstretch. Ridden by exercise rider Steve Willard, the unbeaten 6-year-old Zenyatta showed enthusiasm throughout the exercise.

“She’s in the bridle,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I’d have to say she’s stepped it up a notch. She’s a little more intense.”

Led by the sensational mares Zenyatta and Goldikova, both of whom will be seeking unprecedented third victories in the Breeders’ Cup, a total of 184 horses were announced on Wednesday as the pre-entries for the 27th Breeders’ Cup, a 14-race, $25.5 million extravaganza to be held Nov. 5-6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Youtube via tvgnetwork

MORE: Zenyatta gets plenty of company in workout

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – It took two stablemates to work with Zenyatta at Hollywood Park on Friday and achieve the objectives that trainer John Shirreffs intended for the undefeated mare’s second-to-last workout before the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.

Zenyatta worked with Sarbonne and El Vino, two horses owned, like Zenyatta, by Jerry and Ann Moss. They served as a tag-team of sorts during the seven-furlong workout. Ridden by Mike Smith, Zenyatta was timed in 1:27.20, and she was the only horse to work that distance on Friday.

Zenyatta's trainer, John Shirreffs, gives a press conference on Friday at Keeneland discussing Zenyatta's career and her preparations to defend her title in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5-6.

Part 1:

Part 2:

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Terrell Owens has a photo of Zenyatta on his cell phone. He’s got a bunch more of the undefeated star mare on his digital camera, too.

The NFL star wide receiver had a free Sunday last weekend, his Cincinnati Bengals had the week off, and Owens spent 30 minutes on an overcast afternoon on the Hollywood Park backstretch at trainer John Shirreffs’s barn. The focus of the trip was an opportunity to meet Zenyatta, the undefeated two-time champion and winner of 19 races.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Three weeks from Sunday, on the clear, cool Kentucky morning of Nov. 7, the racing world will awaken with all matters resolved. Horse of the Year will be decided. The lesser divisions will be nailed shut. Horse racing can safely tuck itself away in its winter cave and wait for the emergence of spring, or the release of “Secretariat” on DVD, whichever comes first.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Oak Tree at Hollywood Park meeting will run an additional day on Wednesday, Oct. 27 to make up for the rainout on Wednesday of this week, the track announced Thursday.

Hollywood Park canceled its eight-race Wednesday program after a significant downpour in late morning led to erosion in two places on the backstretch.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Of the many things that can be said about Zenyatta, this one is certainly true: She has never needed an excuse. Track surface, pace, weight, distance, trip – none of it has mattered, for nearly three years running, a truly remarkable feat. She ran her record to a perfect 19 for 19 on Saturday at Hollywood Park in the Lady’s Secret Stakes, which for the third straight year has set her up for a start in the Breeders’ Cup.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Da-DING Ding.

Mike Smith’s cell phone sat on a table in the Hollywood Park press lounge late Saturday afternoon and seemed to come alive every minute with a chime, indicating the arrival of a new text message.

Less than two hours earlier, Smith had ridden Zenyatta to a win in the $250,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes, extending her unbeaten streak to 19 races. Across the nation, Smith’s friends were offering near-constant modern-day congratulations. By the time he was done riding on Saturday, he had 84 messages.