Zenyatta arrives at Oaklawn Park to hero’s welcome ahead of run at history in Apple Blossom

Zenyatta arrives to hero’s welcome in Arkansas

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Zenyatta has arrived at Oaklawn Park after getting a hero’s welcome at the airport and a two-car police escort to the track where she’ll try to run her record to 16-0.

The mare who created a sensation by beating the boys in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic arrived Tuesday in Hot Springs by chartered plane from Southern California.

Zenyatta is set to run against a small field Friday in the Apple Blossom. Her rival, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, declined an invitation after losing her season debut last month.

Zenyatta will try to equal the record of 16 consecutive victories shared by Cigar and Citation.