Zenyatta to arrive at Del Mar on Wednesday

It looks like it's about 99.5 percent certain that the unbeaten Zenyatta will run in Saturday's $300,000 Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes, according to Del Mar officials.

A Del Mar spokesperson said early Sunday evening that the 6-year-old Street Cry mare, 17-0 in her career, will gallop at Hollywood Park on Wednesday morning and then ship down to Del Mar later that day.

Zenyatta is scheduled to gallop over Del Mar's synthetic Polytrack surface Thursday morning and then will school in the paddock later that day during the afternoon's eight-race card.

Trainer John Shirreffs is expected to enter Zenyatta in the Clement L. Hirsch when post positions are drawn Wednesday. He could still scratch her later if the track is not to his liking.

Zenyatta, 3-0 in 2010 following victories in the Santa Margarita Handicap at Santa Anita, the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park and the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, would be trying to become the first horse to win the Clement L. Hirsch three times. She became the first three-time winner of the Vanity on June 13.

Shirreffs told The Daily Racing Form late last week that Zenyatta could possibly run in the Grade 1 Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 2, which could set up a possible showdown against 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Rachel Alexandra, 2-2 this year, is scheduled to run in the $300,000 Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29.