Zito goes from spoiler to spectator

ELMONT, N.Y. – The last two times a Triple Crown was on the line in the Belmont Stakes, Nick Zito played the role of spoiler by winning with Birdstone in 2004 and Da’ Tara in 2008.

The Hall of Fame trainer won’t be involved Saturday when California Chrome tries to become the 12th Triple Crown winner, but he is as interested as anyone in what happens. And he has one piece of wisdom to impart.

“When Big Sandy looks down on you,” said Zito, “you’ve got to beat him. That last quarter-mile is what tells all.”

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Zito has become an admirer of California Chrome but stops short of predicting victory Saturday for the chestnut colt.

“This California Chrome has everything – the owner, the trainer, the help, the rider,” Zito said early Wednesday at his Belmont Park barn. “You talk to them, you talk about them, they can’t lose. But when it comes down to it, it’s all about Big Sandy’s mile and a half. What’s going to happen if he can dig in and finish up? That’s what we’re all waiting to see.”

Zito, 66, said he shares a certain kinship with Art Sherman, the 77-year-old trainer of California Chrome, and that he would be happy to see him win.

“Art Sherman lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and moved to California with his parents when he was 7,” he said. “Nick Zito lived in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, until he moved to Ozone Park when he was 6. Art was a Jewish kid, I was an Italian kid. The moral of the story is he comes from good stock.”

Zito has his own career Triple Crown, having won the Kentucky Derby twice and the Preakness once prior to his pair of Belmont upsets. He recalls the mixed signals given off by the Belmont crowd after Birdstone surged past Smarty Jones and after Da’ Tara prevailed while Big Brown failed to finish.

“They’re always disappointed when a Triple Crown doesn’t happen, but I don’t think it’d be a bad deal if one of their New York guys wins,” he said. “One of my best clients is in there,” a reference to Len Riggio, whose My Meadowview Farm owns Samraat. “Then you’ve got Jimmy Jerkens,” with Wicked Strong, “from one of the great racing families of all time. And then there’s my feed man,” alluding to Ride On Curlin and trainer Billy Gowan, whose father-in-law, Joe Shulthise, has had Zito as a customer for years in Kentucky.

Zito said the vagaries of racing seem strongest when a Triple Crown is in play.

“There are just so many variables,” he said. “So many.”