Ziconic goes for first win Sunday

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ziconic, a 3-year-old out of 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, makes his fourth start when he faces a strong group of maidens in Sunday’s second race.

Ziconic debuted in February and has been third twice. The colt, by Tapit, was a fast-closing third in a maiden race at 1 1/16 miles on May 14, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind winner The Lieutenant.

“I think he’s improved since his last race in his ability to focus and get down the racetrack,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “He had pretty good numbers out of that race.”

Ziconic earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86 from his last start, which equals the highest figure of any of the six runners in Sunday’s race, which is at 1 1/16 miles. Victor Espinoza has the mount.

In the May 14 race, Ziconic closed from last in a field of 11. He had a sharper start than in his first two races, where he broke slowly.

“We worried about the break, but that didn’t turn out to be a problem,” Shirreffs said. “Everything was positive out of the race.”

Zenyatta has yet to produce a foal to win. Cozmic One, a 4-year-old half-brother to Ziconic, is a maiden.

Sunday’s race includes Arrogate, who was a troubled third as the 1-2 favorite in a maiden race at six furlongs on April 17, and the Shirreffs-trained Veneto, a half-brother to Giacomo, the 2005 Kentucky Derby winner.

Ziconic and Veneto are owned by Jerry and Ann Moss.