Danzip gives two turns a try

The undefeated Danzip has established himself as one of the top sprinters at the Arapahoe Park meet by winning both of his stakes starts. Saturday, he tries to conquer two turns. Danzip will be making his first route start in the $30,000 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Derby, a 1 1/16-mile race restricted to 3-year-olds bred in Colorado.

Danzip's pedigree seems to lean toward one-turn racing, since he is a son of Grade 1 Hopeful winner City Zip. But City Zip is a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Classic winner Ghostzapper and did place in two route races from five starts. Danzip's sprint-winning dam, Dans l'Argent, has produced three route winners in Silver Finder, Silver Shine, and Silver Plata.

Danzip will have a decided tactical advantage Saturday, when he attempts to improve his career record to 5 for 5. He looks like the speed of the CTBA Derby after running the opening half-mile of last month's $39,000 Aspen at Arapahoe in 44 seconds. Danzip went on to win that six-furlong race against older statebreds by more than two lengths in a swift 1:09.40.

Danzip also wired his rivals in his three other starts. He won his maiden and a first-level allowance last winter at Turf Paradise, then took the $30,000 Inaugural against open-company 3-year-olds in his Arapahoe debut May 30.

Russell Vicchrilli has the mount for trainer Doug Grinolds.

The chief threats are E F Five, a front-running winner of a one-mile allowance June 25, and Blastitary.