Zenyatta's son Ziconic third in career debut

ARCADIA, Calif. - A first-time starter recorded a flashy win in a maiden race in Saturday’s third race at Santa Anita, but the winner was not the sentimental choice of many racegoers.

Fast Munny ($25.80) closed from between horses to win the seven-furlong race by 1 1/4 lengths over Dalmore. Ziconic, a colt out of fan favorite Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year, rallied with interest from last to finish third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths.

Ziconic, sent off at 5-2, trailed by more than 15 lengths on the backstretch. Ridden by Gary Stevens, Ziconic was within 3 1/2 lengths of stretch leader One More Round with a furlong remaining and was closest to the leaders at the finish.

Trainer John Shirreffs said he had a few nervous moments when Ziconic was racing behind his six rivals.

“I was hoping something would change,” Shirreffs said. “He responded well,”

“He was good on the track and warmed up well. You always have high expectations. You always dream. With Zenyatta, we realized the dream.”

Ziconic is owned by breeders Jerry and Ann Moss, who bred and raced Zenyatta.

Shirreffs said that Ziconic will start in a maiden race around two turns in his next start, which is undetermined.

Fast Munny was timed in 1:23.74. By Munnings, Fast Munny closed from fourth with a quarter-mile remaining. The win did not surprise trainer Craig Dollase.

“I had confidence in him,” Dollase said. “He trained well and he ran well. I was a little surprised at the odds.

“He was really professional. He looked like he was loaded the whole way. He really dug in.”

Fast Munny was purchased for $95,000 at the 2015 Barretts select sale of 2-year-olds in-training last February and races for Bloom Racing Stable and Highlander Racing Stable.

Dollase said he is hopeful Fast Munny can become a stakes horse in coming months.

“I’m thinking big and you have to at this time of year,” Dollase said.