ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week

OK,

It was a great week of racing with lots of stakes action plus good races with Derby implications. We are starting to get deeper into the Derby prep season and there will be prep races either sprinting or routing almost every weekend from now on. Two of the most impressive winners in these key prep races made the list. There were no breakout maiden performances last week, but there were some impressive stake winners in Maryland and California, both expected and surprising results.

So here we go - ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week #3

At #4 - Laurel Park race 4 on 1/25/14 ~ Taris

The Wide Country Stakes 1/25/14 (replay link)

This result is not a surprise as she went off the favorite against some over matched rivals, but more to give praise and draw some attention to her power house barn. Todd Beattie trains and races mostly at Penn National so when you see him racing elsewhere, he's normally shipping in to take the money home. That's exactly what this filly did when shipped to Aqueduct to break her maiden earlier in the winter. This beautiful moving filly by Flatter broke on the lead in the Wide Country and just kept running. She will be invading a major league track to conquer tough stakes competitors again soon after a brief respite in Ocala.

At #3 - Gulfstream Park race 10 on 1/25/14 ~ Cairo Prince

The Holy Bull Stakes 1/25/14 (replay link)

This was a spectacular field of 3 year olds that lined up in here. But the key to the 'prep' races is to figure out who is actually prepping and who is running hard to win. It was easy for me as I knew Cairo Prince was cranked up and ready to roll. He did not disappoint. He dispatched this quality field with a burst of speed around the far turn and the race was on.... for second. He is a Top 3 Derby prospect, I just hope he is not peaking too soon. I would like to see him skip the Fountain of Youth actually, but if he runs, I don't expect that same electric performance as you can't squeeze the lemon dry in February.

At #2 - Gulfstream Park race 4 on 1/25/14 ~ Top Billing

Gulfstream Allowance race 4 on 1/25/14 (replay link)

While this was only an allowance race, it was a wonderful learning experience for Top Billing. Lots of buzz was created after his debut at Laurel sprinting over a sloppy surface where he annihilated his overmatched foes with the greatest of ease. I only became sold on him watching his 2nd start. He endured a rough trip, got bumped, caught in a jackpot, yet still found a hole making a strong run, only to get nailed on the wire. Making his third start Saturday, he was taken back to last rating far off the pace. Rounding the far turn, it looked like he was shot out of a cannon. He raced wide, circled the entire field, and was geared down late crossing the wire an easy winner. All that potential made him my new #1 in ZJ's Derby Dozen.

At #1 - Santa Anita Park race 8 on 1/26/14 ~ Lakerville

Clocker's Corner Stakes (replay link)

I am kinda biased here as I scored out on this race being the only Santa Anita selection I provided for my Pick4win players Sunday. It was an amazing performance by this Unusual Heat 6 yr old horse. He has never run a bad race in his life, but was returning off a 22 month layoff, which deterred most handicappers. After seeing he had been working steadily for months, I had no qualms making him my top selection. He rated kindly and made his move once they crossed over the dirt. He kicked into high gear in the last quarter mile, passed the final four runners on his inside and posted the $19.60 upset. It was a very nice return for a classy runner and a wonderful way to finish up the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing him race again for sure.

So there you go, another edition of ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week.