Gulfstream: Zo Impressive may get rematch

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Zo Impressive, runner-up behind Grace Hall in Saturday’s Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks, may not have to wait long for an opportunity to avenge that setback, with trainer Tom Albertrani considering the Kentucky Oaks for her next start. Grace Hall is expected to be the heavy favorite in this year’s Kentucky Oaks off her performance here this past weekend.

Albertrani said he will discuss the situation with Zo Impressive’s owner-breeder, Charlotte Weber, later this week, but that at the moment it appears they are leaning in that direction.

“Earnings might be an issue. If the race overfills we might not get in there,” said Albertrani.

Zo Impressive suffered her first setback in the nine-furlong Oaks after drawing away to one-sided wins in each of her first two starts.

“Grace Hall was much the best in the Oaks. but it was the first time our filly got into a battle, and that will be good for her,” said Albertrani. “She got knocked around a little on the first turn and as a result wound up a little further back than we thought she might, but she was in tight, took some dirt, and all in all it was a good experience for her.”

Albertrani also has a promising 3-year-old colt on his hands, the lightly raced Sensor, who broke his maiden in Sunday’s fifth race. Sensor, a Darley homebred, is a son of Street Sense out of the Grade 2 stakes winner Minister Wife. He was no factor on a sloppy strip going seven furlongs in his debut but showed marked improvement over a fast track when stretched out to 1 1/8 miles on Sunday.

“I always liked this horse,” said Albertrani. “He was the only one of my 3-year-olds I nominated to the Triple Crown. He was green and looking around the first time over the wet track, but he was definitely more focused and on his game today. The added distance was also a plus, since he’s a long-striding horse with a pedigree that suggests he wants to go two turns.”