Race Recaps Zuzanna Claims Graded Score in Red Carpet November 30, 2019 Ernie Belmonte Race Recaps Zuzanna Claims Graded Score in Red Carpet November 30, 2019 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Former claimer Zuzanna pulled off a major upset to claim her first graded score in Saturday’s $100,000 Red Carpet Handicap (G3) at Del Mar. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Breaking from the outside post 7 under Paco Lopez as the longest shot on the board at 23/1, Zuzanna took back to second-last and watched. Up front, Lostintranzlation posted opening fractions of :24.44, :49.17, 1:14.74, and 1:39.70 for the opening mile while Keeper Ofthe Stars kept closest watch. Nearing the top of the far turn, Zuzanna began making headway between Vibrance and a fading Keeper Ofthe Stars, the 6/5 favorite. Off the far turn, Strike At Dawn was the new leader, but Zuzanna tackled her shortly after straightening for home. Late runs from Vibrance on the rail and Curlin’s Journey were not enough to catch the new leader, who pulled away inside the final 1/16. The Bob Hess, Jr., trainee finished 1 1/2 lengths the best in a final time of 2:16.29 for the 1 3/8-mile event over the good turf course. “Bob told me I could put her anywhere I wanted to in the race,” Lopez said. “Front, back, inside, outside. He said this mare would run anywhere you wanted, so I rode her with a lot of confidence. I had a bit of trouble on the turn (for home), horses inside and outside me, but I got clear and she was game.” Curlin’s Journey had to steady late in the stretch run but still got up for second by a head over Vibrance, who nosed out Strike At Dawn for third. Tiny Tina, Keeper Ofthe Stars, and Lostintranzlation completed the order of finish. Siberian Iris, the morning line favorite, was a veterinarian scratch. Zuzanna’s win came in her stakes debut and improved her overall record to 32-9-2-3 with $271,751 earned. The 5-year-old daughter of Wilburn was claimed for $8,000 last September by Hess, Jr., and co-owners Brian Ferguson, Kurt Hoover, Jeffrey Lambert, Larry Rodriguez, and Robert Toland. “I really wasn’t looking at this race,” said Hess, Jr. “I had her (booked) on a plane next week to go to Florida for the claiming crown, but Kurt nudged me to go here. My reservation (about running) was that I’ve never trained an $8,000 claimer to win a Grade 3, but on the other hand, we thought a mile and 3/8 could work. She loves Del Mar and she really worked well over this turf course. To me, she’s an easy read; when she’s ready, she’s ready, and she said, ‘Hey Bob, let’s run.’” Zuzanna returned $48 to win, $15.80 to place, and $7 to show. Curlin’s Journey brought back $13.80 to place and $6.40 to show, while Vibrance paid $5.40 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More