ARCADIA, Calif. - If Zenyatta were a championship boxer, her connections would surely do everything to protect her undefeated record by seeking out the softest possible opponents. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss and trainer John Sherriffs, though, have such supreme confidence in their fearless fighter that they will go for the knockout against the heavyweights Saturday at Santa Anita.

The eight fillies and mares entered yesterday in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic can hardly be described as tomato cans, but Zenyatta would have flattened them had her connections opted to take the easy route to 14 straight wins without a defeat.

Instead, the Mosses and Sherriffs gave their 2008 Ladies’ Classic champion a shot at making history yesterday when they entered her in the $5 million Classic.

“We think she deserves a shot. John has done just a brilliant job with her. She’s coming to this race really well and has done everything right,” Jerry Moss said following the post position draw for the two-day, 14-race Breeders’ Cup World Championships. “She deserves to be here. We’re excited about this race like everybody else.”

Zenyatta will attempt to become the first female to win the Classic, but more importantly her presence will give the Classic a marquee name and a compelling storyline.

“It would be like the U.S. Open is the U.S. Open, but if Tiger (Woods) doesn’t play in it, it doesn’t have as much oomph to it,” said Zenyatta’s jockey, Mike Smith, when asked what his mount’s presence in the Classic meant to Breeders’ Cup XXVI. “She’s like Tiger Woods in the U.S. Open, so to say.”

Some would insist that the “Tiger” of racing is actually Rachel Alexandra, the sensational 3-year-old filly who did not make the trip to Santa Anita, but no one can dispute the fact that Zenyatta’s presence in the Classic adds considerable sex appeal and pre-race hype to what promised to be a solid but vanilla $5 million conclusion to the festivities.

“I think the Mosses and John Shirreffs deserve a hand for putting Zenyatta in this race,” said Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will saddle longshot Richard’s Kid. “It’s going to make a huge race. That’s pretty gutsy. I hate to run against her. I didn’t want to see her in there. It’s great for racing. If we’re going to get beat, I don’t mind getting beat by Zenyatta. She’s a great mare. We’re big fans of her.”

Only three females have ever run against males in the Classic: Triptych, who finished sixth in 1986; Jolypha, who took the show spot in 1992; and Azeri, who finished fifth in 2004.

Zenyatta, who was installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a field of 13, likely will be the first female to be favored to win the Classic.

Because Zenyatta’s task of beating 12 males in the 1-mile Classic is such an imposing one, rival trainers are respectful but not overly troubled by her entry.

“It’s pretty hard to second guess Shirreffs. They have not gotten her beat yet and I’ve gotten mine beat a few times,” said trainer Chip Wooley, who will saddle Kentucky Derby upsetter Mine That Bird. “I think they’ve done a great job with her. I’d just as soon that she wouldn’t run in the race. I’d have one less horse to beat.

“There’s a lot of horses in there that look better to me in that particular race, but she’s a great mare, and they haven’t made any mistakes with her yet, so they might not be making a mistake here either.”

Zenyatta’s sternest test may come from Rip Van Winkle, a multiple Group 1 stakes winner from England who was established as the 7-2 second choice. The Aidan O’Brien-trained 3-year-old will be just one of 30 European shippers who’ll compete in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, where the synthetic Pro-Ride track seemed to favor grass horses last year.

Zenyatta’s top U.S. opponent likely will be Summer Bird, the winner of the Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Summer Bird drew the No. 3 post, one stall inside Zenyatta.

“I like our draw,” said trainer Tim Ice, noting his rapidly developing 3-year-old trained well over the Santa Anita track. “We’re on the inside. We got to be inside Zenyatta in the gate, so hopefully she won’t intimidate us too much, as big as she is.”