C Z Rocket saving his energy for the Bing Crosby Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. – C Z Rocket worked five furlongs at Del Mar in 1:01.60 on Sunday morning, a slow time for a gelding who has won four sprint stakes and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland last November.
Trainer Peter Miller timed C Z Rocket in an even slower 1:02 and did not care one bit.
“I don’t want a quick time,” Miller said. “We’ll save it for the afternoon.”
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The next afternoon opportunity will arrive in Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar. Owned by Gary Barber, Tom Kagele, and Madaket Stable, C Z Rocket rates as a leading contender in the top sprint of the track’s summer meeting. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint here on Nov. 6.
Florent Geroux, who has the mount on Saturday, rode C Z Rocket to wins in two six-furlong races at Oaklawn Park earlier this year – the Hot Springs Stakes in March and the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap in April. Geroux was aboard C Z Rocket for a second in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park on May 31.
Geroux could have C Z Rocket in a favorable position in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes if quick runners such as Brickyard Ride and Vertical Threat set a fast pace.
“If I get two or three speed horses, it helps,” Miller said.
Other candidates for the race include Dr. Schivel, Eight Rings, Quick Tempo, and Shooters Shoot.
Sunday’s top race is the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes, a $300,000 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Distaff here on Nov. 6.
Shedaresthedevil, a multiple Grade 1 winner for trainer Brad Cox, heads a small field expected to include As Time Goes By and Venetian Harbor, who have each won two Grade 2 races.