Zippity Zoom gets change of jockey
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of Zippity Zoom were just as upset as the bettors – and apparently the stewards – with the mare’s fifth-place finish in a first-level allowance race for New York-bred fillies and mares at Aqueduct on Feb. 12.
After encountering trouble on the far turn and dropping back to eighth, Zippity Zoom came with a mild bid in the stretch and looked like she could get fourth, the last spot in the superfecta. But Zippity Zoom was caught on the wire by 52-1 Stoneheartedlover and had to settle for fifth.
The stewards decided to fine jockey Junior Alvarado $3,000 for failing to persevere on the mare.
“Myself and my clients were disgusted after the race, very unhappy with the situation, and expressed that to racing management as well,” said Linda Rice, who trains Zippity Zoom for Jack Liebau Sr. “The stewards made whatever decision they made. It’s over; time to move forward, not backward.”
On Friday, with Cornelio Velasquez replacing Alvarado, Zippity Zoom is back in the entries, one of 10 fillies and mares set to run in a $57,000, first-level sprint for New York-breds, race 8 on the nine-race program.
Zippity Zoom broke from the rail in that Feb. 12 race and now has post 2. The horse to Zippity Zoom’s inside, Midnight Champagne, has shown speed, though she won a $25,000 claimer from off the pace after breaking terribly last out.
“I think a stalking trip is ideal for her,” Rice said of Zippity Zoom. “I think that’s what Junior had in mind for her last time, and he lost all position at that point of the turn when they switch their leads.”
Five horses from that Feb. 12 race are back in this field. That includes Golden Gem, who rallied from well back to be second, albeit 10 lengths behind the runaway winner, Splendid Gold.
KEY CONTENDERS
Zippity Zoom, by City Zip
Last 3 Beyers: 58-64-59
◗ Prior to her tough-trip fifth last out, Zippity Zoom came off a nine-month layoff to win a $25,000 claimer by 5 1/4 lengths. She was not eligible to be claimed from that race.
◗ The Rice-Velasquez team is 20 for 61 at this meet – including 5 for 9 last weekend – with a $2.95 ROI.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Zippity Zoom. Trainer Linda Rice is 60-17-9-8 with a $1.73 ROI over the past five years in sprints on the Aqueduct inner dirt when making a jockey switch to Cornelio Velasquez. – Mike Hogan
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Golden Gem, by Wildcat Heir
Last 3 Beyers: 70-73-59
◗ Has lost 10 straight races since winning her career debut over the Aqueduct main track in 2014. Has six other in-the-money finishes, including three seconds out of her last four starts, all at this condition.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Golden Gem. Trainer Rick Violette is 13-0-5-3 over the past two years in dirt sprints with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, with 10 of the 13 at odds of 5-1 or lower. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
Meet in Khartoum, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 51-64-52
◗ Though she has run exclusively in claiming races, she may have the right off-the-pace running style should the race fall apart late.
◗ Came off the six-month layoff with a runner-up finish last out behind Stoneheartedlover in a $25,000 claimer for which she was ineligible to be claimed.