Ziconic makes highly anticipated debut Saturday

ARCADIA, Calif. – Ziconic has been famous since he was foaled in April 2013. Such is life for the second foal out of Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year.

Ziconic will make his career debut in a maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs in Saturday’s third race at Santa Anita, a start widely anticipated by Zenyatta’s legion of fans. The colt has shown promise in recent weeks, according to trainer John Shirreffs, who said there is a high level of anticipation surrounding Saturday’s race.

“It adds a little bit of pressure because everyone around them feels it so much,” Shirreffs said. “It’s not like a horse that no one knows the name of.”

By Tapit, Ziconic races for owners and breeders Jerry and Ann Moss, who raced Zenyatta. Ziconic will be ridden by Gary Stevens, a late replacement for Mike Smith, who is in the midst of a three-day suspension for a routine riding infraction.

Ziconic is part of a field of seven and has drawn post 5. He is one of three first-time starters in a race that includes Adios Reality, a $1.2 million purchase who finished last of seven after a troubled trip in his debut Feb. 7.

In recent weeks, Shirreffs has focused Ziconic’s training on breaking from the gate. The colt’s last two workouts have been from the gate, including three furlongs in 37.40 seconds on Wednesday.

“He’s done a lot of gate work, and every time he’s progressed really well,” Shirreffs said.

Zenyatta has two foals at the racetrack, including the 4-year-old Cozmic One, a colt by Bernardini who was unplaced in two maiden races at Santa Anita and Belmont Park last year. Cozmic One has been in steady training in recent weeks for his comeback.

Despite a disappointing start to his career, Cozmic One remains a source of fascination for Shirreffs.

“He’s like a kid that’s a year behind. He’s just turned 4, and he acts like he just turned 3,” Shirreffs said. “He’s the strongest horse I’ve ever been around in my life. You can’t tire him out. He’s got cannon bones like tree trunks. There’s something there. If you watch him gallop, you think, ‘Who is this?’ He’s so strong.”

Saturday could be a big day for the Shirreffs stable at Santa Anita. Following Ziconic’s debut, the barn runs the French import De Treville in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course and Keri Belle in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf. Keri Belle won the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes last month.

De Treville, a 4-year-old British-bred colt by Oasis Dream, won 2 of 8 starts and earned $111,379 in 2014-15 when trained by Andre Fabre. Owned by Russian vodka manufacturer Rashit Shaykhutdinov, De Treville was second or third in three consecutive group stakes at Chantilly and Longchamp last year in races ranging in distance from about seven furlongs to about 1 1/8 miles on turf.

“I’m anxious to see how he does,” Shirreffs said. “I think he’s more of a miler, but I want to get him started.”