by Steve Andersen of DRF.com

Zenyatta work 'absolutely beautiful'
HORSE RACING, ARCADIA, Calif., Santa Anita News - Zenyatta breezed six furlongs in 1:14 at Hollywood Park on Thursday, leaving trainer John Shirreffs with glowing compliments about the condition of his unbeaten champion. "She just galloped around there," he said. "She looked absolutely beautiful."

Zenyatta worked in company with El Vino, an unraced 4-year-old. El Vino worked six furlongs in 1:14.20. Shirreffs said Zenyatta worked in company "just to keep her comfortable with horses around her. I usually work her with another horse." Zenyatta has not started since winning the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November.

She is scheduled to make her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on March 13. The Santa Margarita is a prep for the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 9, when Zenyatta is scheduled to have an eagerly awaited showdown with 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta was the champion older female of 2008 and 2009 and is unbeaten in 14 starts. Zenyatta was a finalist for Horse of the Year in 2009.

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