A. P. Zona stands out in River Rock Casino
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A. P. Zona was very impressive in winning the Jim Coleman Province in his first start at Hastings for trainer Phil Hall and figures to be a short price in the $50,000 River Rock Casino on Saturday.
With Enrique Gonzalez aboard, A. P. Zona settled early and made a strong move at the quarter pole in his four-length romp in the Province on May 22. With plenty of speed signed on in the River Rock, he should get a similar trip in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint that drew six horses.
The Kentucky-bred colt was a bit of a mystery for Hall going into the Province. He was coming off a fourth-place finish going a mile on turf in a $40,000 optional-claiming race at Golden Gate Fields for trainer Blaine Wright on April 23.
“I only had him for a week before the Province,” Hall said. “He seemed like a nice horse, but I really didn’t know what to expect. I actually thought he would be closer to the pace because he had shown decent speed in California.”
Hall is expecting another strong performance from A. P. Zona on Saturday.
“He’s been training super, and I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t run another good race,” Hall said.
A. P. Zona drew post 5, with Gonzalez retaining the mount.
The speed of the speed is Fall At Last, who was sent off at 15 cents to the dollar in the Province. After holding a clear lead at the half-mile call, he tired to finish third.
Trained by Greg Tracy, Fall At Last went into the race off a 7 1/2-length romp going six furlongs in an open allowance race at Hastings on April 23. Chalk players also took a big hit when he was the runner-up at 5 cents to the dollar in the $48,000 Birdcatcher at Northlands Park last year. It was his only other loss in six starts.
KEY CONTENDERS
A. P. Zona, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 84-61-61
◗ He apparently likes it here, as the 84 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his easy win in the Province was easily the best of his nine-race career.
Driller, by Texas Wildcatter
Last 3 Beyers: 77-61-53
◗ Trained by Mel Snow, he was the runner-up in the Province, and considering that he came back to work a bullet five furlongs in 58.60 seconds, he could be sitting on a peak performance in his third start as a sophomore.
Fall At Last, by Spring At Last
Last 3 Beyers: 71-77-64
◗ He’s had two brilliant works since his flop as the heavy chalk in the Province and again will be the one they have to run down.