Being Justin Zayat: The Countdown Begins

The long wait is now at arm’s length for Justin Zayat. The 23-year-old racing and stable manager for Zayat Stables arrived in Lexington, Ky. today on a private flight from New Jersey with his father, Ahmed Zayat. And yes, American Pharoah arrived today from California. The Zayats led the entourage that greeted the Triple Crown winner at Blue Grass Airport and then followed him on the quick, 1½-mile drive to Keeneland. That is where Pharoah will finish his racing career Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Shortly after Pharoah got acquainted with his barn, Justin Zayat fielded today’s 10 questions from America’s Best Racing.
1. How did your trip and American Pharoah’s trip go?
It’s actually a funny story because my dad and I landed about 7-8 minutes before Pharoah. When the guys took us off the plane, we made them drive us straight to where he was landing. So we saw him land, and we were right there. We saw him get on the van, and [Keeneland] is right across the street. We were part of the police escort to the barn. It was a great welcome. They rolled out the red carpet. They were literally blocking off Versailles Road, and you’d see people getting out of their cars to take videos. It was very cool to see. The horse looks awesome, they told me his flight went smoothly. When he came in he was feeling good. His energy level was great. This horse knows coming on a flight that something big is coming up soon. He’s sharp. He’s in the zone right now.
AMERICAN PHAROAH ARRIVING IN LEXINGTON

2. With a $5-million purse the Breeders’ Cup Classic is the richest horse race in the Americas. Where would this victory rank among the wins American Pharoah has earned this year?
The top of the top, right next to all the classics. It’s really hard to separate the difference. The classics are the classics, but the Breeders’ Cup to me goes right next to the Kentucky Derby. The Belmont this year will always be special because it was a Triple Crown, and it will always be an exclamation point.
3. If American Pharoah wins the Classic that, added to the Triple Crown, would complete a first-ever grand slam of horse racing. Should a trophy and a bonus go with that?
I’m just happy if Pharoah would be the creator. It could be down the line if he does it and he becomes the first ever, and then maybe they could start marketing it. They used to have a big bonus for winning the Triple Crown. Remember, Visa had an additional $5-million [on offer from 1996 to 2005] and they took it away [before it was ever won]. That would’ve been nice if they’d brought it back as well. Not because we won the Triple Crown this year, but because it’s a good incentive. But if there was a bonus for the grand slam, I don’t know if it would be fair for an older horse going for the [Breeders’ Cup Classic]. They wouldn’t have been eligible to go for that because they’re not racing in the Triple Crown. I’m happy how it is right now. No complaints. No bonus. No trophy. I’m just in it to win the race.
4. After seeing Víctor Espinoza’s elimination last month from ABC’s ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ who is the better dancer – Víctor, Bob Baffert, someone in your family or you?
[Laughs] I have never seen Bob dance, so he’s a question mark. I’m going to give it to Víctor. He’s got those moves that he learned. He’s like a jockey riding a couple races, and he starts learning little things here and there and he picks them up. He’s seen how dancers go. He’s got a leg up on us. Me? I don’t think I’m going to be turning any heads with my dancing. I’m not a terrible dancer, but I’m no Víctor Espinoza on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’
5. Will you be wearing purple on Breeders’ Cup Saturday?
No. Funny to say that I’m going to be wearing the same, exact Tom Ford suit that I wore to the Belmont, because it brought me luck that day. I wore the same, exact suit for the Haskell, and I’m undefeated in the suit, so I’m bringing it back. I bought a new suit for the Travers, and it screwed me, so I’m going back with my old mojo. I know you asked me in the past if I’m superstitious, and I’m not. But now I’m going to be for my suit.
JUSTIN ZAYAT

6. Are you bringing friends with you to the Breeders’ Cup?
I have a family friend who is actually with us now who was on the plane with my dad and me. He and his wife have traveled with us from the Kentucky Derby through the whole Triple Crown with us. The only race they missed was the Travers. I blame them for that loss [chuckles]. So we brought him right back for the Breeders’ Cup. Other than them it’s just going to be my girlfriend. My parents will have some family friends. But my direct friends are all staying home to get the ‘New York Breeders’ Cup’ going over there.
7. Are there any new sponsors for American Pharoah for the Breeders’ Cup?
No. A lot of people have reached out. They all want to be associated with the Breeders’ Cup and the grand slam, but we’re not really seeking that much. If it comes it comes. If it doesn’t it doesn’t. The important thing about a sponsor is that it matches with the brand. It’s easy to choose any liquor company or pizza company in the world and say ‘Hey, I’ll put it on the horse,’ but it’s important for me to make sure it’s a good fit.
8. You are in what may not only be the world’s horse capital but also the world’s bourbon capital. What is your favorite bourbon?
It’s funny. You know what my favorite alcohol is that I drank through college that I introduce people to? Maker’s Mark. In college I always had it. I’ve always liked Maker’s Mark. When I came to Kentucky, of course I always had Maker’s Mark. I’ve always known of the Maker’s Mark Mile and all the races like that. I’ve converted all my friends to like it. 
9. After this race Pharoah will move on to being a stallion for Coolmore Stud. If you had the choice to pair him with any broodmare, which one would it be?
Any broodmare. That’s a tough call. That’s a very tough call. Obviously, I love Beholder. I love Zenyatta. I love all these great fillies – Rachel Alexandra especially, because she’s now undefeated with her two progeny [Rachel’s Valentina and Jess’s Dream]. You know what? I’d love to get a date with any of those mares, but just because you’re a good racehorse doesn’t mean you’re going to be a good broodmare. There have been foundation mares who produce multiple, multiple Grade 1 winners year after year that weren’t great racehorses. Better Than Honour, remember her? She was a mare who threw Rags to Riches, Jazil and Casino Drive. A mare like that – a producer who has already produced the horses. Obviously, I would love, love, love, love to breed with Beholder. But if you asked me for one, I would probably go for the mare who has already produced a couple Grade 1 winners.
10. Do you even let the idea of a big, long good-bye to American Pharoah cross your mind? 
We honestly haven’t discussed that with Bob or anyone like that. We’re going to let the race come out, and we’ll discuss the logistics afterward. But he’s not going to just have some little good-bye. We’re going to have a nice good-bye for everybody. He’s not just any horse going to stud. We’ve got to give him the grand-finale good-bye and everything. Remember when Zenyatta was paraded around Keeneland there? They had a nice good-bye for her. American Pharoah needs something awesome. We haven’t thought about it yet and haven’t planned anything yet, but we’re definitely going to do something very nice and appropriate and classy and something that the champ deserves to go out on – besides a win, which would be beautiful as well [laughs].