Still kicking at 10, C Z Rocket could be a factor in pick six carryover

ARCADIA, Calif. – The oldest horse still racing at Santa Anita plays a key role Friday in a pick six that begins with a $100,634 carryover and includes an allowance sprint that looks like a stakes race.

C Z Rocket launches his 10-year-old campaign against graded winners Ginobili and Hopkins, comebackers who enter race 7 with works that hint they will fire first start back. Based on speed figures, Ginobili and Hopkins are faster than C Z Rocket. But neither is as accomplished.

A $40,000 claim by trainer Peter Miller at Oaklawn Park in 2020, C Z Rocket is one of Miller’s all-time acquisitions. Since the claim, the gelding has won nine races and $1.8 million from 27 starts, including three graded stakes, and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2020 and 2022.

“He’s a prince, he’s one of my all-time favorites,” Miller said. “He’s just a joy to be around. High energy, but always kind and sweet, just a big ham.”

And all racehorse.

C Z Rocket scored the 13th win of his 44-start career last out in a Del Mar allowance. Barring a change in house rules, the Nov. 25 race was his final start at Del Mar. The track does not allow entries from 10-year-olds and up. Time also is running out at Santa Anita, where house rules disallow entries from 11-year-olds and up.

Though recent figures suggest C Z Rocket has lost a step, he has not lost the attributes that allow him to compete for Miller as a virtual senior citizen. The most important?

“First is heart, the desire,” Miller said. “Then soundness and physical capabilities, and just keeping them engaged and enjoying their job.”

From the 2014 foal crop, C Z Rocket is 16th on the earnings list with $2,134,941. None of the 15 above him are still running. C Z Rocket is owned by a partnership that includes Altamira Racing Stable, Madaket Stable, and Tom Kagele.

Although he is the most accomplished in Friday’s six-furlong allowance, C Z Rocket and jockey Flavien Prat face a formidable rival in stablemate Ginobili. Miller expects Ginobili to run well in his first start since February.

“He should be plenty fit,” Miller said. “He’s worked every week, and worked well. The big thing is trying to slow him down. Last year he worked too fast, this year we’ve kind of tricked him into slowing down a little bit. We’re hoping that keeps him sounder and [allows] a longer campaign.”

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Ginobili, 7 years old, entered the Fifth Season Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn, but weather conditions complicated travel. Miller plans to start Ginobili on Friday at Santa Anita, which precludes him from running in the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes, a Jan. 27 race at Oaklawn to which he is nominated.

Ginobili drew the outside post Friday in the five-runner field, while Bob Baffert-trained comebacker Hopkins drew post 2.

“Ginobili wants to be either on the lead or just off, and Hopkins does as well,” Miller said. “It could set up for C Z Rocket.”

Joel Rosario rides Ginobili; Juan Hernandez, who won with C Z Rocket last out, opts for Hopkins. Hopkins, a Grade 3 winner, runs Friday for the first time since March, when fourth in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Parnelli and See Through It also entered the allowance.

Field sizes are small Friday, averaging 5.75. But the $1 pick six on races 3-8 is not easy. No race includes a conspicuous, low-odds favorite, and every race includes multiple contenders. The most recent pick six carryover in Southern California similar to Friday’s six-figure pot was a $94,601 carryover Nov. 23 at Del Mar that attracted $910,911 in new money.

Below is a thumbnail look at the Friday pick six:

Race 3 is for older California-bred maidens at seven furlongs. City of Angels is a speed-figure standout off his most recent. He earned a 78 Beyer running two turns at Los Alamitos. His rivals include front-runners Sand to Sea and Hot Legs Romolo, and recently gelded Ship and Scam.

Race 4 is a $50,000 claiming race for fillies and mares at six furlongs on turf. Richard Baltas-trained comebacker Aqua Seaform Shame meets Doug O’Neill-trained stablemates Alternate Rock and Phenom. Stressed also figures.

Race 5 is a California-bred $50,000 maiden-claiming sprint for fillies and mares in which Mark Glatt entered a pair of contenders – upset candidate Jazzy Boo and front-runner Eltonsingsanother. Ryder’s Candy finished second in three of her last four starts at the level.

Race 6 is a $25,000 claiming turf sprint, five furlongs, for fillies and mares. Teen Drama figures as the favorite. A New Peace and front-runners Gritty Girl and Gypsy Lynn also fit.

Race 7 is the unrestricted allowance with C Z Rocket, Ginobili, and Hopkins.

Race 8 is a starter allowance turf sprint at six furlongs. Neon Lights, To Speight Her, Cribbage Board, and Mars On Fire all have a look.

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