Crosby Stakes- Grade 1 (BC)- $300.000 Purse
DMR- For Three Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on The Dirt
July 27, 2019

Z One Chance had just one chance to do something that no other horse had ever done in the past: win the Crosby twice, and in consecutive years. In 2018, with K J Desormeaux aboard, he won by half a length, though went on to choose the BC Mile over the BC Sprint, a decision that did not work out for John Henry, given his last place effort there. Now, the trainer has another chance with Z One Chance in the BC, to perhaps try the BC Sprint this time, a race that he has now automatically qualified for. It seems likely, though I am careful to not try and speak for decisions of other trainers unless they themselves announce it. John Henry has now won the race twice, but K J Desormeaux now has three wins, with his other victory coming on a legend, Alpha Ultimo back in 2009. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:08.87, the fastest winning time in the last six years of the race. Here’s a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.13)- From his outside post, the stablemate of Z One Chance, Made To Sin, bursts out of the gate for John Henry and opens up a length advantage. Chasing him in second is a horse in Gold Sunset that had not raced since the BC, running for Maze Stables. Sitting just off the lead, it’s the pair from Mb Stables, with Peculiar Sensation on the rail, and Bring The Pain two lanes over. Blushing Meadows’ Black Scorpion is between them, but a length back. Moving deeper into the field, we have a three-wide group that is five lengths off the pace, and our eventual winner, Z One Chance is on the outside of that group. This put him quite a bit further back then where he was last year during the race. Black Flags (La Canada Racehorses) and Shanghai Days (Night Rider Stables) are the horses of that group. Next comes Pretty Ferro (Estero Farms), and the post-time favorite Lots Of Pride (Spankys Barn). Trailing is Serengeti Sands (TwinTowersRacing).

(½ Mile- :44.71, Top Of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- As the field moves into the turn, we don’t see any aggressive moves, although several are looking to position themselves to make their run in the stretch. Made To Sin is still setting a quick pace and leads at the top of the stretch, but was likely looking to pass the baton to Z One Chance pretty soon. He had other challengers to be concerned about first, with Gold Sunset looking to go by on the inside, as well as Peculiar Sensation looking for his time to strike. During the turn, Black Scorpion was looking real good, and was now three wide with them at this point. Bring The Pain seemed to be lacking response. Meanwhile, taking the wide route would be Z One Chance, moving five wide. He still had four lengths to make up at this point, but since the pace had been quick at the front end, it seemed reasonable. Shanghai Days was matching his stride for now, and had room up the middle to come through. Black Flags ran steady on the rail but was not advancing, as was Pretty Ferro, who may have just thought there was a lot of racing still left go. Lots Of Pride swung out six or seven wide to make a move, while Serengeti Sands hoped for a gap in the middle of track to open up.

(Finish- 1:08.87)- In the stretch, there were three horses that were the class of the field. Black Scorpion continued to be in great form, and with half a furlong to go had pulled into the race lead, outrunning Peculiar Sensation. On the outside, Z One Chance was flying, like a horse that knows how to win this race. He was reeling in Black Scorpion just enough as they approached the wire. The third horse was Shanghai Days, matching strides with Z One Chance for a while, but unfortunately for the trainer, he did not have as clear of a lane and that stalled his progress just enough as they approached the wire. At the finish, Z One Chance barely caught Black Scorpion in a very tight photo, but he gets the head bob at the line to win the race once again. Black Scorpion certainly made his presence known with the runner up. Peculiar Sensation battled well in the stretch, to be third, and that effort gets him third over the charge of Shanghai Days. Another horse in great stride in the stretch was Lots Of Pride. It was an impressive move, but he spotted the frontunners too much ground, and with the extra track he needed to cover, he ran out of time to be a threat for a win. After these five, it was a length to four wide finish for sixth. Serengeti Sands gets the nod of Made To Sin, Black Flags, and Bring The Pain. Pretty Ferro was surprised that the race was over already, and finishes ninth, one spot ahead of Gold Sunset, who probably just needed the race and should be a fine threat for his next race.

About the Winner– Z One Chance, trained by John Henry, and ridden to victory by K J Desormeaux, is a five year old horse by Z Jinxed One and is out of Serine de La Chanson. He was bred in New York by Downwind Stables as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by John Henry, via Serenity Stables, in private sales for $500.000 in June 2018. The win is his ninth in 23 starts, his seventh stake win, and sixth graded win. His career earnings are now $1,625.540.

Track: Fast
Time: :22   :44³  :56⁴  1:08⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 4 Paid 128.00
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 4 – 2 Paid 405.20

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES