Denman expresses confidence in Zenyatta

Zenyatta will be facing new challenges in the Classic (Paula Smith/Horsephotos.com) Trevor Denman has called six of ZENYATTA’s (Street Cry [Ire]) victories, and the sharp-eyed Oak Tree race caller sees no reason why the brilliant mare can’t defeat males should she run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday. “Categorically, she can beat the boys,” Denman said. “In Europe, it’s done all the time, and why shouldn’t she? She’s such a big filly. She’s strong, she’s almost like a male. Definitely she can beat the boys. It’s tough for a filly to beat the colts, but it has been done and always will be done. What does it take? An exceptional filly. Is she exceptional? Oh, yes.” Denman, who will serve as the voice of the Breeders’ Cup for the fourth consecutive year, doesn’t feel a full field with traffic risks will compromise Zenyatta’s late-running style.

“I think they’re going to spread themselves out,”
he said. “Last year, they bunched up on the turn, and I think that cost Curlin
pretty dearly. I don’t see it happening in this race, especially with all those
English horses.

“Most of them are going to come from behind. They don’t have speed, so I
think Zenyatta is going to find her way through. Might she have to go wide? Oh,
yes. Will she be a Curlin? I don’t think so.”

Despite the fact that she has never faced males and never run at a distance of
1 1/4 miles, regular rider Mike Smith has every confidence that Zenyatta can
stretch her unbeaten streak to 14 when she takes on the boys.

“The extra eighth of a mile certainly should benefit her,” said the 44-year-old
Hall of Fame jockey, who has ridden the five-year-old mare in her last 10 races.
“She shows that in her races, anyway. She runs a mile and an eighth all the
time (three races), and she’s always galloping out with plenty left. You
wouldn’t think an extra eighth would matter to her. I should hope not.

“But she’s training well and she’s ready to go, wherever they decide to run
her.”

“They” in this case means owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John
Shirreffs, who have pre-entered Zenyatta in the both Classic and Friday’s Ladies’
Classic (G1), which she won at Oak Tree last year.