ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week

Alright,

Another good week of races is behind us. I have four races with some horses you must follow, some if not all with stakes potential. Going into next weekend, there will be stakes galore with some more 3 yr old preps and the Donn Handicap on Sunday featuring the return of Will Take Charge. But, without further adieu, this weeks ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week from Pick4win handicapper Zenyatta John.

At #4 ~ 1/31/14 Aqueduct  race 8 ~ MARRIEDTOTHEMUSIC

Replay of race 8 Aqueduct 1/31/14

This imposing 4 yr old son of one of my favorite sires, Disco Rico, has a bright future ahead of him. He seems to be over the fragile injuries that kept him from fulfilling the potential he displayed last summer at Saratoga with a fast, big speed figure victory. He returned to the races recently and whistled off the layoff. On this day, he came back on short rest and drew out by 10 lengths just missing the track record. He will be a force to reckon with in the NY sprint division for months to come.

At #3 ~ 1/31/14 Fair Grounds race 7 ~ THE TRUNK MONKEY

Replay of race 7 Fair Grounds 1/31/14

The gorgeous son of Old Fashioned has been highly thought of by his connections, Fox Hill Farm, since the spring of 2013. He finally debuted on this day and lived up to the hype. He broke slow, by the time the leader had taken 10 jumps from the gate, TTM was 5 lengths behind. They ran the first quarter in 21.90 and TTM has made up all but a half length on the leader, easily running his first quarter in 21 flat. He gradually wore down that stubborn foe winning by 3/4 of a length and galloped out strongly. Anxiously awaiting another race, looking for him to stretch out around two turns in his next start.

At #2 ~ 2/2/14 Gulfstream Park race 9 ~ FORENSIC

Replay of race 9 Gulfstream Park 2/2/14

Another cleverly named filly from the Phipps/Janney stable, Forensic, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro out of stakes winner Criminologist, made only her first life time start while leaving a lasting impression. A beautiful grey like her mom, Forensic eased her way to the lead out of the gate and continued on willingly while under pressure the entire trip. Off the far turn, she put away both challengers who pushed her along but was joined on the outside by the eventual winner. She drew away from the rest of the field while the winner just eased away beating her by a length. She might be something special by summer.

At #1 ~ 2/1/14 Tampa Bay Downs race 8 ~ PLEASE EXPLAIN

Replay of the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay

This was a breakout performance by this 3 yr old daughter of Curlin in the Suncoast Stakes. Away from the gate last, she trailed the field for a half mile before picking up the bit and getting herself position on the rail behind the leading group down the backside. Around the far turn, she seems hopelessly boxed in with four fillies lined up across the track in front of her, and 3 fillies alongside keeping her pinned on the rail. Once they turn for home, a hole opened on the rail, and she exploded with big powerful strides winning drawing off by 6 lengths on the wire. While the fractions may have been on the slow side, this is a filly with a big future.

Another edition of ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week in the books.

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.

ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week

Alright,

Sliding into week #2 of ZJ's Zenzational and I must say, this was easy for me to choose this weeks nominees. I have three horses and one human who qualified for the list.

Coming in at #4 - Gulfstream Park race 5 from 1/15/14 ~ Hartford

Gulfstream Park race 5 - 1/16/14

This race featured the highly anticipated debut of Hartford, the gorgeous grey son of Tapit for Todd Pletcher.  He attended the pace, eased to the front turning for home, and just galloped away from the field with powerful strides under a complete hand ride. Much like his stablemate Constitution, he has a very bright future ahead of him, maybe not on the KY Derby Trail as there is 100 years of history against him being he never made a start at age two. Supremely impressive though, and worth following.

Coming in at #3 - Gulfstream Park race 11 from 1/18/14 ~ Michelle Nihei

Gulfstream Park race 11 - 1/18/14

This was a maiden race at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf and truth be told, was a highly competitive affair as I went five horses deep on my tickets and didn't use the winner Charlie A. This daughter of Curlin was trained to the minute for her debut by Michelle Nihei and was ultra impressive. I have been a fan of Michelle's since the days she was an assistant for Todd Pletcher. I would go to the paddock just to see her. Michelle is sinfully beautiful, supremely intelligent, and a fabulous horse woman. She only had 62 starters in 2013, but she gets the most from her limited stock. Michelle knew she had this horse ready, she even tweeted 30 minutes before the race with a cryptic clue noting that Luis Contreras had rode a winner for her this day last year. Charlie A was so cranked up and moving so fast turning for home, she almost ran right over the horse in front of her. It was another excellent training job from an under-rated trainer who deserves a barn full of prospects.

Coming in at #2 - The Fair Grounds race 6 from 1/18/14 ~ Daddy Nose Best

Fair Grounds race 6 - 1/18/14

This is why I love turf racing. At no point in this race did anyone think the 5 yr old from Scat Daddy would be the winner. The turf at the Fair Grounds is spotty at best, having issues with drainage so the footing for these horses is really an unknown, sometimes Yielding, sometimes Firm, on the same track, during the same race. Daddy Nose Best raced in a jackpot for the first half of the race, boxed in on the rail in the back of the pack. Still in last turning for home with all 7 runners in front of him, he swung out at the quarter pole and absolutely rocketed home for the victory. The kind of victory that makes your heart pound, the whole reason we love this game of horse racing.

At #1 and getting the nod as ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week ~
Ribo Bobo - Gulfstream Park race 9 from 1/18/14

Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint GP race 9 ~ 1/18/14

Talk about rags to riches, there won't be a better story in racing than this Louis Quatorze gelding who was claimed by Jason Servis for $6,250 in March of 2013 and has proceeded to win 10 of his last 11 starts and seems to be getting better and better now winning races his former connections would never have thought possible. Ribo Bobo will be the inspirational story of 2014 going forward for sure now that he has conquered the Claiming Crown and the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint. Dubai may be in his future.

There it is, ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, let me know. @Pick4win on Twitter.

ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week 1/13/14

Well,

As we all have come to learn, I am somewhat difficult to please when it comes to horse racing. Some of it is pressure as I put my money where my mouth is. In fact, I feel twice the pressure since others pay to put their money on the line with me. Many factors lead to winning and losing at the races, and sometimes a long string of expletives are the only cure when I lose.

So I wanted to start a series which draws out some positives in the sport we love. With winter racing now in full swing, it's sometimes hard to keep your finger on the pulse everywhere. Now, with 'ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week', I can shine a light on races and performances that impressed me over the last week or so of racing action and share some positive feedback.

Four races left an impression on me last week, let's count them down.

At #4 ~ Baratti ~  Aqueduct Race 2 on 1/10/14 ~

 https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/AQU/2014/1/10/2/race-2-msw-at-aqu-on-1-10-14

This Darley Stud owned three year old burst onto the radar with this electric performance. He is by Medaglia d'Oro by Surf Song by Storm Cat. As you saw on the video, he placed himself on the lead, cruised around the Jamaica oval, and drew off in hand in ultra impressive fashion. He will be one to watch going forward, not on the Derby Trail, but there are plenty of spots for him to sharpen his game with those Grade 1's coming somewhere down the road.

At #3 ~ Drogue ~ Oaklawn Park Race 8 on 1/11/14 ~

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/OP/2014/1/11/8/fifth-season-s

I had no idea who this horse was and was tuning in to watch his much more popular entrymate Cyber Secret. This son of distance loving Victory Gallop went to the front, lead them on a merry chase, and opened up at will, winning by 9 lengths over his stablemate. He just might be a force to reckon with in the handicap division if he is able to repeat performances like that.

At #2 ~ Constitution ~ Gulfstream Park Race 4 on 1/11/14

 http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/race-results?startDate=1%2F11%2F2014&endDate=1%2F11%2F2014&trackLookupId=761&type=MaidenSpecial&statesBred=&searchStateBredPlacers=false

This colt by Tapit was as they say, an International Good Thing. He was no secret. I tabbed this horse on my sheet with the comment "the best unraced horse on the grounds in Florida". That's some big hype and he did not disappoint. It reminded me of a tip I received in the summer of 1992. I was told of the fastest two year old in the world and sat on this info. During the winter of 1993, his name showed up in the PP's at Gulfstream. I was working at my restaurant north of Saratoga with a big smile on my face, waiting to watch and wager. A customer I'd never seen before came into the store talking on his phone. He was telling the other person to go to OTB and make a bet. Curious, as I was also going to make a bet, I inquired about his 'tip'. Low and behold, we were both on the same horse. The horse went of odds on and won for fun. It was the first time I was apart of an International Good Thing. The horses name was Jack Livingston. Fast forward to Saturday, Constitution was scratched a week before so his name was on everyone's tongue and twitter feed. He didn't take an abundance of early money as most Pletcher 'sure things' do, but the money poured in. The gate was sprung and Constitution was left. He broke 6 lengths slow but rushed up and after the first furlong was head and head for the lead, not normally a winning situation. He charged through fast fractions with a well regarded rival on his flank. Under a hand ride the entire way, he pulled away to win in a fast time. A star was born.

At #1 ~ Jockey Matt Rispoli ~

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/GP/2014/1/10/7/race-7-msw-at-gp-on-1-10-14

As I've stated, I'm difficult to impress. This race was an eye opener for me. Jockey Matt Rispoli has been winning in spurts and has already gotten a reputation as being a good turf rider. On Friday 1/10, he made a believer out of me. I had tabbed Ay No Digas as my Free Pick that day for Graham Motion with Rispoli up. I was never expecting to see a performance like this. He rated the German bred off the pace for the first half of the race, and I could see he still had horse. Matt started moving his horse between runners as the favorite was battling it out on the outside of the leaders. Turning for home, Matt made a decision that won this race. He guided Ay No Dagas to the rail where there was not a hole to the naked eye, but Matt made the perfect move. He squeezed between the leader and the rail, was in full flight, and beat the favorite by almost a length. If not for that decision by Rispoli, Ay No Digas would not have won that race. Very well done by a young jockey still learning his craft.

So, there it is, the 1st edition ZJ's Zenzational Race of the Week. I bet you're as surprised as I am that a jockey was the star. But he certainly earned the praise with that ride.