Aqueduct: Oliver Zip dominates Capossela Stakes on short rest

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Kelly Breen’s plan worked to perfection.

Instead of simply trying to train Oliver Zip from the Jimmy Winkfield on Jan. 20 to Saturday’s Fred “Cappy” Capossela Stakes, Breen squeezed a race in between. After galloping to a seven-length victory in a starter allowance here Feb. 21, Oliver Zip returned on two weeks’ rest to dominate the $100,000 Capossela by 4 1/2 lengths over Loki’s Vengeance at Aqueduct. It was 4 1/2 lengths back to Long On Value, the 9-5 favorite, in third. Good Time Henry, Hot Heir Skier, and Germaniac completed the order of finish. Geaux Mets scratched.

Under Rajiv Maragh, Oliver Zip appeared to break so sharp that he bobbled a step or two. He quickly recovered and dueled inside of Loki’s Vengeance through a quarter in 23.57 seconds and a half-mile in 46.37. In upper stretch, Oliver Zip had more to give while Loki’s Vengeance did not, and Oliver Zip cruised home an easy winner. His final time of 1:10.21 was the fastest of seven six-furlong races on the card by 1.13 seconds.

“Knowing other people had missed some training and had bad tracks, we pointed to run back in two weeks,” said Breen, who trains Oliver Zip for George and Lori Hall. “I had explained it to George we’d use it as a prep; let’s run.”

The win helped avenge a half-length loss to Hot Heir Skier in the Jimmy Winkfield on Jan. 20. Maragh, who rode Oliver Zip in his last four starts, said the difference was he was able to get an easier lead this time than in the Winkfield.

“He breaks so sharp from the gate every time,” Maragh said. “He cruised the first three-eighths and then he powered home.”

Breen said that while the win looked easy, he saw “a tired horse” when he came back. Breen said he would evaluate Oliver Zip in the coming weeks before deciding whether to run back in the Grade 3, $300,000 Bay Shore Stakes going seven furlongs here April 5.

Chris DeCarlo, who rode Long On Value, said his horse didn’t like being down on the inside.

“But I really had no choice in the matter,” DeCarlo said. “He was a little intimidated.”