Being Justin Zayat: Preparing For Busy Breeders’ Cup Week

After a few months off from the madness of American Pharoah's early year success, Justin Zayat is gearing back up for the colt's farewell. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
He will be front and center for what may be the biggest and most competitive curtain call horse racing has ever seen. Justin Zayat, 23, the racing and stable manager for Zayat Stables, will watch his family’s prized colt graduate from champion to stallion Saturday, when Triple Crown winner American Pharoah races in the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. After that he will leave the Zayats and be off to Coolmore Stud. This week Zayat will provide his thoughts and insights on American Pharoah’s grand finale in another exclusive series of daily Q&A sessions with America’s Best Racing.
1. What did you think of American Pharoah drawing the number 4 post position for the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
I did like the draw. I was watching it online (from home in New Jersey). Of course I was nervous. I get nervous at every single draw. I was shaking. It was very nerve-racking. But it turned out solid. I didn’t want to be in the 1-hole, so everything turned out fine. I know there’s not too much speed in the race, so I’m curious to see how we break. We’re hoping for a good break, and then he’s in [jockey] Víctor [Espinoza]’s hands from there. Obviously Beholder [in post position 10] is on the outside of us; she’ll have to see how we break. The draw was pretty much uneventful. I’m happy. I don’t think any horse really got hurt.
2. I know you have also been keeping track of Pharoah’s workouts at Santa Anita. Last week he went six furlongs in an impressive 1:10 4/5. Then today his supposedly easy workout went four furlongs in 46 3/5 seconds. What did you think? 
Unbelievable, right? Kind of sad it was his last workout ever. It was the last time we’re going to have that excitement and amazement every single week. [Trainer] Bob [Baffert] was telling us he wanted the horse to go in 48, 47. And then he goes in 46, and he’s doing it easy. I saw the video. His ears were up. He looks like he’s ready for the race.
3. Does he look like his old self again?
I don’t think the old Pharoah ever really left. I think he was always here. He had a long campaign with a race every three weeks or so. He needed a little down time. After the race Bob took him back, he went easy with him for a couple weeks, he put the weight on him, and I think the horse is doing really well. The horse thrives the more you do with him. The stronger you start training him, the better he looks. He likes training. He likes his job. 
ZAYAT CELEBRATES WITH ESPINOZA AFTER THE KENTUCKY DERBY

4. The last time most of us saw American Pharaoh was August, when he finished second to Keen Ice in the Travers at Saratoga. What do you think happened that day?
I try not to think about that date too much [laughs]. When I look back on it he ran a huge race. It was hard to see him go down to second, but it’s not like he finished fifth. There was a lot going on with him the day before. A lot of people came out to watch him train, and maybe that took a little out of him. And there was a little close riding in the race as well [from substitute rider José Lezcano on Frosted], but that’s horse racing I guess. Honestly, I looked at the race very closely, but I didn’t dwell on it. I just turned the page, making sure the horse was doing well, and he came out in great shape. We are really focused on this race. We’ve been targeting this for about 60 days now. We’re happy that it’s all gone smoothly so far – knock on wood. I’m just holding my breath hoping everything goes well one last time.
5. Did you ever consider a race between the Travers and the Classic?
We really hadn’t. We really, really honestly just left it up to Bob and said, ‘Bob, we’re going to let him tell you.’ Bob was working him and decided, ‘Hey, I think we’re just going to go straight to the [Classic]. It wasn’t really a long conversation.
6. American Pharoah and Beholder figure to be the top two choices for bettors. Searching for a contemporary comparison, would this be like Floyd Mayweather vs. Ronda Rousey?
Yeah, we have the battle of the sexes over here. It’s a good comparison. I like that comparison. Beholder is a champion coming out to beat the boys again [after winning the Pacific Classic]. We’re going against older horses for the first time, so we’ve both got our work cut out for us. And we’re both coming on strong; that’s the important part. They’re both coming in in good form.
7. Aside from the Classic, what is your favorite Breeders’ Cup race and why?
The Sprint is an exciting race, but I really always like the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. You like to see the upcoming star for next year. It’s a pretty wide open race. Justin Phillip’s half-brother Greenpointcrusader is in the race, and he was the Champagne winner, so I like that horse a lot – of course [the Zayats own Justin Phillip]. Nyquist is a nice horse; he ended up winning two Grade 1s. Dale Romans’s horse is pretty nice also – the Giant’s Causeway colt Brody’s Cause. I think he’s going to run a solid race.
7a. You realize you just picked out two horses that won their last race in the mud and slop – Brody’s Cause and Greenpointcrusader.
[Laughs] I didn’t realize that, but yeah. I like mudders.
AMERICAN PHAROAH ROMPS IN A MUDDY PREAKNESS

8. I know you are flying to Lexington on Tuesday. What are your plans there for Breeders’ Cup week?
We’re going to the Thoroughbred Charities of America dinner on Tuesday night. They’re honoring Team American Pharoah, so that’s exciting. Then we’re going to the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters dinner, I’ll be there on Wednesday. On Thursday I think I’m going to the WinStar Farms part with the chefs – Taste of the World. That’s really my week. It’s tough to sleep through the week, but it’s something I’m going to attempt to do. We’re actually going to be walking distance from the track. We rented a house, which is nice. We’re just hoping for no rain. I wouldn’t mind rain for American Pharoah, but I want it to be sunny when I walk. When I get there it can monsoon, and I’ll be OK.
9. If you could have one celebrity join you as a partner in a racehorse, who would it be?
Derek Jeter, I just love Derek Jeter. I was always a big Yankee fan growing up. I’ve seen him from the beginning of his career to the end of his career. I played shortstop in baseball and my number was always number 2. And he’s a great guy. I met him at the ESPYs. He was so nice. He was like, ‘American Pharoah, wow.’ I’d be happy to introduce him to horse racing – and to American Pharoah. I mean, come on: American Pharoah and Yankee gentleman.
10. Should American Pharoah be the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year?
In my eyes he’s the Sports Player of the Century. For sure this year, in my opinion. He won the Triple Crown this year; that hadn’t been done in 37 years. My case is closed [laughs]. I know there were some big sporting achievements this year, but what compared to the Triple Crown? It’s not like Serena Williams won the grand slam in tennis. And it’s not only about what you’ve achieved on the racetrack. It’s what you’ve done for the sport. Look how many people he’s connected to in the world. But let’s see what happens on Saturday first. Then we’ll start making the case.