Being Justin Zayat: Fairy Tale Ending

Justin Zayat with American Pharoah the day after his Classic victory. (Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog)
It was not a Hollywood script – the kind where the hero looked doomed to defeat, only to rally to victory just before the roll of the credits. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was better than that. He left no doubt in the homestretch that he would win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. As he widened to a 6½-length victory, the Zayat family – except for unusually quiet patriarch Ahmed Zayat – let loose with ear-piercing whoops of delight as Pharoah completed a unique grand slam here on a cloudy, drizzly at Keeneland. With that he also finished his brilliant racing career. America’s Best Racing was with Justin Zayat, 23, the racing and stable manager of Zayat Stables, from the time he arrived in the paddock until after he left the post-race news conference.
5:15 p.m.
How did your day go?
They day has been great. I woke up at 9:00 this morning. We walked to the track here. I played some races and watched a lot of great horses run all day. Now it’s show time.
How did you do betting?
I did OK. I picked [the winner Wavell Avenue] in the Filly and Mare Sprint, but I’m so annoyed at myself, because I missed the exacta. I loved [second place finisher] La Verdad. I just didn’t think with only a week off that she was going to be able to go seven furlongs. I had the Simon Callaghan horse [third place Taris], so I missed the exacta by this much. I would have taken a big, big lead in the [Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge] if that happened.
I was up in your suite this afternoon. The mood seemed a little more quiet, a little more nervous today. Was it?
Everyone is tense. Everyone is nervous. We all had a good time today. We’ve been up there in the suite all day, but 20 minutes ago we got nervous. Then we just came down here to the paddock for this horse. It’s the longest wait before this race. It’s nerve-racking. Exciting. I just want it to be here already and run the race.
AMERICAN PHAROAH WALKS TO THE PADDOCK

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
What were fans telling you as you walked down here?
Everyone says they’re all happy for us. They wish us the best of luck. And they all thank us for bringing him. 
What’s the first thing you will be looking for when American Pharoah is walked out here?
I want him to look like Pharoah, relaxed, his ears up, walking around, not sweating. Just keeping his cool.
5:20 p.m.
The Zayats met Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and his girlfriend – Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton.
‘Do you really want to make out with Pharoah?’ asked Ahmed Zayat about a recent headline.
‘No. All I want to do is give him a kiss,’ Upton said.
Ahmed Zayat gave his approval, saying, ‘You can do that in the winner’s circle.’ 
KATE UPTON GOT HER WISH

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
5:22 p.m.
Justin Zayat posed to take a selfie with his mother, Joanne, on his right and Upton on his left. 
5:40 p.m.
After looking anxious and on his toes after arriving in the paddock, Pharoah became more relaxed but was still alert after he was saddled. Then during his pre-race walk he suddenly stopped and look right at the Zayats, then kept walking.
He knows who his bosses are. It wasn’t a farewell. He was saying he’s going to win [laughs]. He looks really good. He’s ready.
5:45 p.m.
The Zayats have moved to the front of the paddock. They will stand there with trainer Bob Baffert to watch the race on a big screen. Justin Zayat sees Baffert’s son Bode, 10, and fixes the pocket square on his suit.
‘Do you want to be with Daddy,’ Zayat said.
Said Bode: ‘No, thank you.’
Laughter all around. 
5:52 p.m.
With Víctor Espinoza riding as usual, American Pharoah moves into the gate.
Let’s go. Easy. Clean break. Come on, Víctor. Come on, Víctor. 
The race begins.
Ears pricked. Is Frosted taking him on? Who’s on the lead? Who’s the ‘6’? Effinex. Show 23 [seconds for the first quarter-mile fraction]. 24. That’s good. Easy. Easy. Keep those ears up, Víctor. I’m liking what I’m seeing. 
AMERICAN PHAROAH THE FIRST TIME DOWN THE STRETCH

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog

The family is quiet as Pharoah moves into the final turn. Then he starts to open his lead over Effinex. The quiet is over.
Let’s go! Let’s gooooooooo! Let’s go, Pharoah! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, let’s goooooooooooo! Let’s go! Wooo. Wooooohoohoo! Wooo! Wooo! Best of all time! Oh, my goodness.
5:57 p.m.
Baffert came over and said, “Was he ----ing ready or what?”
Wooooo! Wooohooooo! 
6:00 p.m.
Team Pharoah heads out to the winner’s circle to get cheers from the crowd announced as 50,155 and collect the trophy.
This is our first Breeders’ Cup. That’s what I was thinking. We struggled in the Breeders’ Cup over the years. We’ve come so close. To finally break through – and break through in the Breeders’ Cup Classic of all things – is unbelievable. But it was about Pharoah at the end of the day. As my dad said, we wanted this for American Pharoah. I’m just so happy Pharoah did it.
THE ZAYATS IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire
6:52 p.m.
After a post-race news conference, Justin Zayat takes some final questions. 
The whole family was screaming during the race except your dad. Did you notice that?
I did not notice that. I guess he was emotional and take it all in in the last seconds. Trying to enjoy the last seconds of the champ’s career.
Was the rest of the crowd cheering the end of the race before you?
I was pretty confident the whole way. When I saw those ears go up on the back side, I knew it was over. But I was trying to stay grounded until I knew it was officially over. You never know what could happen. Víctor could fall off or something. I was waiting until I knew it was in the bag to start getting rowdy. 
How do you spend the rest of the night?
We’re going to go out to dinner and celebrate with Bob and the team and hopefully sleep well tonight.
And tomorrow? 
We’re going to go back to New York. Business as usual on Monday. We’ve got to go find our next American Pharoah now.