Plenty of options await Zuzanna in Florida

DEL MAR, Calif. – Zuzanna, the upset winner of the Red Carpet Handicap on Saturday at Del Mar, was scheduled to be sent to Florida this week, where, owing to her development this year, she would be eligible for anything from starter-allowance races to graded stakes.

Zuzanna was claimed in Sept. 2018 for $8,000, and she ran twice in claiming races earlier this year, making her eligible for starter-allowance company. But winning a Grade 3 race has opened new options, and with long-distance racing a staple at Gulfstream Park during the winter, trainer Bob Hess Jr. and co-owner Kurt Hoover agreed that was the best spot for her to go now. Hess will have 30 horses in South Florida this winter.

Hoover, the popular TVG analyst, and another co-owner, Brian Ferguson, co-hosted a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant on Saturday night, marveling at their good fortune.

“It seems surreal. It hasn’t sunk in. I think I’m still shocked,” Ferguson said long after the race was over.

Hoover gave credit to Hess, who advised his clients when they made the claim that they’d not see any potential return for awhile. Hess had trained Zuzanna earlier in her career, and thought throat surgery would benefit her. It was a play most wouldn’t make with an $8,000 claimer, but they’re being rewarded, and then some, for taking the long view.

For her current connections, Zuzanna is 4 for 9, and has earned $143,851. Plus, by winning a graded stake, she now has residual value as a broodmare.

Hoover said the fact the 1 3/8-mile Red Carpet is a graded stake made it appealing. He and Hess had also considered heading to Gulfstream for the Claiming Crown.

“If it wasn’t a graded stake we wouldn’t have taken a shot,” Hoover said. “Funny how things work out.”