Zenyatta colt Cozmic One last in debut

ARCADIA, Calif. - Cozmic One, the first foal out of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, finished last of six in a one-mile maiden race for 3-year-olds in Friday’s second race at Santa Anita, never threatening upset winner Tried and True.

Tried and True ($22.40) closed from fourth in a field of six to win by a half-length over 11-1 Volume. Tried and True finished a mile in 1:37.04.

Cozmic One, ridden by Victor Espinoza, was last after the first 50 yards and was beaten 8 1/4 lengths by Tried and True. Espinoza had Cozmic One well behind the field, trailing by more than 10 lengths, halfway through the race, and was never a factor. Attack, who set an early pace of 23.79 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, and 48.43 seconds for the first half-mile, finished third.

Cozmic One was the 9-5 second choice, behind D’Church, the even-money favorite who finished fourth.

“It looks like he needs a little racing,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “It’s nice to have a starting point.

“Victor thought it was okay. He wasn’t sure how to ride him. He got a lot of dirt in his face. They went a little slow in the first part and that didn’t help.”

Tried and True, by Medaglia d’Oro, was ridden by Martin Pedroza for trainer Eoin Harty. Owned by Godolphin racing, Tried and True was sixth in his debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs on Jan. 31.

Cozmic One is owned by breeders Jerry and Ann Moss, who raced the popular Zenyatta.

Cozmic One’s debut drew hundreds of racing fans to the saddling enclosure and walking ring before the race. The spirited colt reared on his hind legs a few times before being saddled, drawing a reaction from the crowd, but was calmer after he was saddled and when Espinoza climbed aboard.

Friday’s race is likely to be Cozmic One’s only start in California for the foreseeable future. Shirreffs said earlier on Friday that he plans to send Cozmic One and the rest of his stable to Belmont Park in May. Cozmic One is expected to have his next start in New York.

“He’s had a race and now he can go back to learning how to be a race horse,” Shirreffs said. “I would have liked to have seen him do better.”