Despite promising U.S. debut, Zarak has questions to answer
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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Zarak gained tons of respect and earned major props when giving the super red-hot, odds-on favorite Big and Classy all he could handle before succumbing to finish a very game second making his U.S. debut off a 17 1/2-month layoff here earlier this month.
But despite that big effort the Chilean-bred may still have some questions to answer returning on relatively short rest and switching back to dirt for the first time in more than two years in Friday’s $51,000 allowance headliner at Gulfstream Park.
Zarak disputed the early running with 25-1 Jetaros, shook clear near midstretch, but could not quite fend off the 1-2 Big and Classy, who sat a perfect pace-stalking trip en route to his sixth consecutive victory in the 5 1/2-furlong allowance dash decided over the Tapeta strip on June 10. Zarak earned an impressive 88 Beyer Speed Figure in his first start since December 2021 and first ever over a synthetic track.
Zarak, who joined trainer Amador Sanchez’s barn earlier this winter, will wheel back Friday off such a demanding effort on less than two weeks’ rest while making only his second start on dirt. The first came in May 2021 at the Hipodromo in Chile and did not end well, with Zarak finishing a distant eighth, 18 1/4 lengths behind the winner, while making his career debut.
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Zarak figures to be pressed for the early lead by the formidable Avant Glory, who looms the one to beat exiting a third-place finish behind the heavily favored Dean Delivers in the seven-furlong Big Drama Stakes for Florida-breds on May 20. In his previous start, Avant Glory registered an eye-catching 5 1/2-length statebred allowance win while making his first outing since being transferred to trainer Roderick Rodriguez’s barn last winter. The 91 Beyer he earned for that performance is the highest of any of the seven starters he faces Friday.
A potential pace duel between Zarak and Avant Glory could give Sensei Lawrence a chance at earning his second consecutive victory. A popular item at the claim box this season, Sensei Lawrence rallied from just off the early pace to a one-length decision going 6 1/2 furlongs under conditions similar to this race on May 6 when re-claimed by his present connections, Amaty Racing Stables and trainer Sandino Hernandez. Amaty and Hernandez took Sensei Lawrence for the same $25,000 price they lost him for in his previous outing a month earlier.
Positive Review, beaten a length by Sensei Lawrence in their previous encounter, Desert Ruler, and the Kathy Ritvo-trained pair of Smokin Cloud and Smokin Bow complete the lineup.
◗ There will be no lack of speed on display when a field of seven 3-year-olds meets in Saturday’s competitive $75,000 Carry Back Stakes. The field is topped by the four-time stakes winner Super Chow, who returns locally after shipping to Monmouth Park for the summer with trainer Jorge Delgado’s potent stable, and the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained duo of the promising Mr. Peeks and undefeated Swirvin.
Multiple stakes winner Zydeceaux, Khozeiress, Lightning Tones, and Sound Doctrine round out the field for the seven-furlong Carry Back.
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