Zazu got supplemented for Clement Hirsch – Alabama Stakes at Saratoga looks out of the question for the filly
The 3-year-old John Sadler filly, Zazu, is on her way to Del Mar main course and might start in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes with the purse of $300,000 on 6 August, 2011.
Trainer John Sadler has said it’s likely that the daughter of Tapit will stay and start in the Clemet Hirsch and compete with older fillies and mares, even though she was scheduled to participate in the Alabama Stakes held at Saratoga.
He further added that nothing can be finalized without discussing options with owners Ann and Jerome Moss, and that with their consent the future of the 3-year-old filly will be decided.
The Kentucky bred Zazu has never raced against older fillies and mares in her 2-year-old career, and her chances against the heavy females are more than a cross country trip to New York to race in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga.
The decision is moreover an assessment of race strategy, and certainly the travels will come with a price. It is uncertain how the filly will take the rigors of a van ride from one coast to another.
So, the connections of Zazu are more attracted and inclined towards the Grade 1 $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar.
Zazu has had an impressive 2011 season so far with two wins, both in graded stakes races, Grade 1 and 2 to be precise. Zazu under Joel Rosario contested in the Grade 1 Las Virgenes, run at a mile.
Zazu and Joel Rosario made seriously fast fractions to begin with, as they never lost the lead from start to finish and landed an impressive victory in the grade 1 race at Santa Anita on 5 February, 2011.
The finish time was 1 minute and 34.86 seconds as she thrashed her fierce rivals, Turbulent Descent and Plum Pretty.
Her second most notable win of the season came in the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks over at a distance of 1 1/16 miles at Hollywood Park synthetic surface under usual jockey Joel Rosario.
If Zazu wins the Clement Hirsch, she will get an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic held at Churchill Downs. The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program.
With the career earnings of $472,985, it is highly unlikely that Zazu will run in both Alabama Stakes on 20 August and the Clement Hirsch on 6 August.
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