Big Zip looks to pair wins in allowance sprint
ELMONT, N.Y. – Two competitive second-level allowance/optional $40,000 claiming sprints for New York-breds – one on dirt, one on turf – headline Sunday’s nine-race card at Belmont Park.
In the fifth race, at six furlongs on dirt, Big Zip will try to validate his 4 1/4-length allowance score going seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 21. That was his first start for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who was given the horse after he was privately purchased by a group led by Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables. Rodriguez equipped Big Zip with blinkers that day, and he scored a front-running victory.
“He was trying to drift in the morning, so we decided to start galloping him with blinkers, and it looked like he was more comfortable,” Rodriguez said.
Big Zip may find another pace presence in this race in Love That Jazz, who makes his first start for a claiming price for trainer Charlton Baker.
A potential speed duel could set things up for Eden Ridge, who cuts back in distance and drops back into allowance company after running fifth in the Albany Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga.
“The horse was doing so good up there, we thought he was bred to go a little farther,” trainer Carlos Martin said. “Short is where he ran one of his better races.”
Jet Black is another contender in this field.
In the eighth race, at six furlongs on turf, Whiskey Seven looks to get back on the winning track after suffering his first defeat in this condition off a two-month layoff Sept. 9.
In that race, Whiskey Seven got bumped and squeezed at the break. He was beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Grand Sky and finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Banana Thief, who is back in this field.
Summer Breezing, reclaimed by Jeremiah Englehart two starts back, returns to Belmont, where he is 3 for 6 sprinting on turf.
RACE 5
KEY CONTENDERS
Big Zip, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 83-62-79
◗ Makes his first start in seven weeks since winning his first-level allowance condition in his first start for Rodriguez.
“He ran a big race at Saratoga, and we rushed him to make that race,” Rodriguez said. “It was a good time to give him a few weeks off.”
Jet Black, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-83
◗ Both of his victories have come in one-turn races at Belmont.
◗ Was upset by stablemate Candid Desire last out in this condition going seven furlongs.
“I was surprised to see him on the lead last time,” trainer Gary Sciacca said.
RACE 8
KEY CONTENDERS
Summer Breezing, by Langfuhr
Last 3 Beyers: 89-75-85
◗ Won this condition in May and was claimed by Danny Gargan.
◗ Reclaimed by Englehart for $40,000 two starts back in a race where he encountered some traffic trouble.
◗ Breaks from post 7 in this eight-horse field.
“I think he got a good post for this race,” Englehart said. “He’s more toward the outside, which I think he likes, and Jose [Lezcano] knows him well.”
Whiskey Seven, by War Chant
Last 3 Beyers: 82-85-80
◗ Went 2 for 2 over this course and at this distance in the spring before finishing third after a little trouble at the break in this condition last month.