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THEY SAID IT OCTOBER 15, 2010 John Shirreffs, trainer of the undefeated dual champion ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]), met with the media Friday morning at Keeneland to discuss the six-year-old mare's preparations for her title defense of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). "It was her first work back (since winning the Lady's Secret [G1] on October 2), an easy five-eighths. It was a starting point to get into a routine. Her next two works will be longer and faster." —Shirreffs speaking of Zenyatta's five-furlong move on Thursday at Hollywood Park "I think she is as good or better than she was last year. She has been at the racetrack in training since she was a two-year-old, so her fitness is good. The main thing you have to do is keep her mentally happy and wanting to do it." —Shirreffs on comparing Zenyatta of 2010 with Zenyatta of 2009 coming into the Breeders' Cup "I wish I knew. She is very special and has the real ability to lengthen her stride at the end of races. Sometimes people will say a horse will quicken at the end of a race and run a little harder. You just watch when she drops her head and starts to lengthen her stride. You seldom see that in horses. Some horses can do that for a quarter-mile and stakes horses can for three-eighths, but I have seen her do some amazing things and extended her stride for a half-mile." —Shirreffs when asked how Zenyatta has managed to win every time "Several. But one in particular was the (2008) Vanity (G1) when (trainer Bob) Baffert had a top filly in there (Tough Tiz's Sis). She had to start her run at the half or 4 1/2 to get the speed and it was the longest extended drive I have ever seen a horse make." —On if he ever thought the dark bay mare was going to be beat "It would be almost too much. It would be a real slap in the face. I think she deserves it on what she has done on the track and as for the industry as a whole." —Shirreffs describing his feelings if Zenyatta shouldn't be named Horse of the Year "There are so many special times. I think it was when she walked into the paddock at Del Mar last year and the crowd was so amazing. People were yelling 'Go Zenyatta! Go Zenyatta!' and the paddock there is a lot like Churchill Downs and then the tunnel leading to the track. She didn't flinch. I was really proud of her." —The trainer discussing his favorite Zenyatta moment "I don't want to think about it. Walking to the paddock with Zenyatta is such an incredible experience. You just can't believe it. You feel like everybody loves your horse and loves you. Churchill Downs is always an emotional place. When you go through that tunnel everybody is just yelling and screaming and the energy is going everywhere." —Shirreffs on saddling Zenyatta for the last time "It would not be the end of the world. She has an opportunity to achieve something (going 20-for-20) unattainable. As far as I am concerned, she is just one of the best ever. When she is done, she is going to go off to the pasture and whether she is 19-for-20 or 20-for-20, I think she will be OK." —Shirreffs on whether or not Zenyatta's legacy will be tarnished if her undefeated streak ends in the Classic
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