Hammersly's review: Zito heating up

Thursday, June 12, review

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF SPEED

Race 2, a $40,000 maiden-claiming New York-bred turf route, had little in the way of established form and seemingly not much early speed. It turned out to be the perfect time to hunt for a theft, and Outer Orbit ($15.60) fit the bill.

The daughter of Western Expression, a strong grass sire, was moving to turf for the first time and, being by that sire, figured to enjoy turf. Making her first start since pressing the pace in a dirt sprint on the inner track at Aqueduct on March 9 also meant that she might very well prove quickest early.

That was the case, as Jose Ortiz put her right on the lead, and she led them on a merry chase, posing for pictures with owner Joemar Racing and trainer Dominick Schettino.

The group should have just stayed there, as they got the money again in race 3 with Shot to Win ($10.40), who held off 3-5 favorite Station Chief.
The gang almost nailed the hat trick with Milkyyourway in race 7, but the mare got foiled by The Lady Says Yes in the New York-bred allowance test at 1 1/16 miles on the Widener course, finishing second.

ZITO KEEPS ON KEEPIN’ ON

After clicking twice Wednesday, Nick Zito got a third win in two days as Sinorice ($9) came back after more than five months to win. The 6-year-old gelding, last seen rallying well for third for $35,000 at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 14, returned without a tag attached in this starter-allowance, one-mile race 6. Under Jose Lezcano, he chased pacesetter Road Agent, took command turning for home, opened up some room, and then dug in as Apex was getting to him late. That rival, last seen at Aqueduct on April 25 winning a sprint at this level in the mud, bided his time and surged up the rail to nearly get to him.

QUICK TURNAROUND, QUICK PAYOFF FOR QUICK MONEY

It was just five days ago that Quick Money ($4.10) ran, but it didn’t matter. Despite having run second in the finale on Belmont Stakes Day, Quick Money went postward as the even-money favorite against seven in Thursday’s featured eighth race, for optional claimers at 6 1/2 furlongs. The 7-year-old son of City Zip bided his time toward the back of the small field (six), came with his run into the lane, and battled gamely to the wire to just nip Johannesburg Smile by a nostril.

Apparently, trainer Michelle Nevin’s assessment was right – the horse was doing so well that the quick turnaround didn’t matter. It was most encouraging, too, that Nevin brought him back here without a tag attached.

HORSE TO WATCH

ZAFIRO ASUL
Trainer: Thomas Bush
Last Race: June 12, 2nd
Finish: 2nd by 3/4
Beyer: 59
The daughter of Utopia hadn’t really shown much in her first six starts, but that changed here as she stayed at the $40,000 maiden-claiming level but moved from a turf sprint to a turf route. She sat back early, swung out into the lane, got pushed out even wider, but once straightened away found her best stride and finished smartly. Could be she’s found her game.