City Zip possible for Carry Back
MIAMI - Trainer Linda Rice said she has not ruled out shipping City Zip to Calder for the $250,000 Carry Back Stakes on Saturday's Summit of Speed program even though he would be coming back on just nine days' rest. City Zip upset Songandaprayer when he registered an impressive victory in Wednesday's Jersey Shore Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park.
"That door is still open," Rice said about the Carry Back, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds. "I just want to see how he comes out of this last race, and at the moment everything looks good."
Rice said her options are either to send City Zip straight into the $125,000 Amersterdam at Saratoga on Aug. 3 or stop at Calder on the way for the $250,000 Carry Back.
"If it wasn't for the $250,000 purse," said Rice, "we wouldn't even consider it."
Meanwhile, trainer Bill Mott has confirmed that Dream Supreme will be on a Tex Sutton charter flight to Miami Thursday to assume the rule as favorite in the $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap.
"The only other option for her at the moment is the Honorable Miss on Aug. 1, and we'd probably have to run against the filly who stomped her the other day," said Mott, referring to Dat You Miz Blue and her 6 1/2-length Vagrancy win on June 16 at Belmont Park.
"The owners would just assume go for the bigger purse and the race down there probably won't be any tougher than the Honorable Miss."
Pat Day will be back aboard Dream Supreme in the Princess Rooney.
Among the others expected to join Dream Supreme and perhaps City Zip on the charter Thursday are Illusioned, a 3-year-old colt Mott is sending for the Carry Back; perhaps two or three from trainer Todd Pletcher, including Texas Glitter for the Calder Turf Sprint; Hidden Assets (Rooney), Spanish Glitter (Azalea Breeders' Cup) and Ultimate Warrior Bernie Flint; Red's Honor (Carry Back), Hattiesburg (Azalea), Wild Hits (either the Carry Back or Turf Sprint) and Morluc, who would likely be the favorite for the Turf Sprint.
- additional reporting by Dave Grening