First foals of Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta both training at Saratoga

Last updated: 8/4/14 3:39 PM

First foals of Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta both training at
Saratoga

Jess’s Dream, the son of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, shows his exuberance
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography/Susie Raisher)

The first foals produced by champion racemares

Rachel Alexandra and
Zenyatta, who won respective Horse of the Year titles in 2009 and 2010, are
now juveniles, and both colts are currently in training at
Saratoga. Rachel
Alexandra’s son, Jess’s Dream, is by Curlin, while Zenyatta’s son, Cozmic One,
is by Bernardini. For video of Jess’s Dream and Cozmic One, click
here.

Jess’s Dream, clearly recovered from his 24-hour van ride the day before from
Ocala, Florida, had his first experience on a real racetrack Monday morning,
circling the Saratoga oval in an easy gallop under exercise rider Renzo Morales.

The two-year-old son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and super filly
Rachel Alexandra brought a curious crowd out to the barn of Kiaran McLaughlin,
including Barbara Banke, the head of owner-breeder Stonestreet Stable, eager to
see the colt’s unveiling.

Jess’s Dream emerged from his stall feeling full of himself, and he leaped
into the air while being walked by assistant Trish McLaughlin.

At 9:38 a.m. (EDT), Jess’s Dream went out on to the main track with a string
of onlookers lining the rail on the backstretch.

“This is his first day,” Kiaran McLaughlin said. “We’re just happy to get him
around there safe, and we’ll start working. He galloped once around to get
familiar with the surroundings. He went well.”

McLaughlin has no timetable for Jess’s Dream or any plans yet to work.

“We’ll just see how it unfolds,” he said. “I’ll talk to Ian Brennan (at the
Stonestreet Training Center in Ocala), who’s had him in training and look at the
worktab. He’s feeling good, which is a good sign. He moved great out on the
racetrack. We’re honored to have the horse.”

Banke was in a fine mood, seeing Jess’s Dream and her other new babies: Good
Pick Nick, a feisty Tapit named after her nephew; Ocean Night, by Curlin; and an
unnamed baby who is a half to stakes winner Stopchargingmaria.

Curlin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, and Banke is extra
excited about Jess’s Dream.

Asked if she was relieved to get the first gallop on the big track out of the
way, she said, “Yes! Especially since he was being such a good boy —
afterwards. After the high jump.”

Cozmic One, Zenyatta’s colt by Bernardini, stretches his legs at Clare Court
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography/Susie Raisher)

Minutes before Jess’s Dream was tacked up, another famous unraced colt,
Cozmic One, was out and about for his morning exercise.

Introduced to life at the track during a three-week stay at Belmont Park last
month, he is continuing his education this summer in Saratoga.

“We couldn’t wait to bring him up here,” said trainer John Shirreffs, who
also conditioned the legendary Zenyatta. “He’s doing really well. Each day, he
gets better.”

Accompanied by Shirreffs on a pony, Cozmic One and exercise rider Kevlan
Henry took a spin around Clare Court, the half-mile gallop track situated behind
the main track along Nelson Avenue.

“We started going over there about three days ago,” Shirreffs said. “I wanted
to take him someplace where it’s a little quieter and give him a little exposure
walking through the barn area and down the road and everything. The track’s a
little more narrow, so if he wants to turn one way or another it’s a little
easier for him.”

After walking for one lap on Monday morning, Cozmic One jogged once around,
then jogged and walked around another lap before galloping a mile.

“We spend a lot of time warming up,” Shirreffs said. “The first day, he was
prancing on his toes and the second day he was really on the muscle because he
knew what was coming. Today he was much more relaxed about it because he’d
gotten over that part of it. For a young, high-strung horse he’s coming along
nicely.”

Bred and owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, who also campaigned Zenyatta, Cozmic
One has yet to have a timed workout for Shirreffs.

“He’s gone a couple three-eighths that are like two-minute clips,” Shirreffs
said. “You’re extra careful in the sense that he’s a very valuable horse, but
also knowing that he has to do everything everybody else does. He needs the same
sort of exposure. He needs to get over the guy dumping the bucket and all that
kind of stuff. You want to help him as much as you can without totally
protecting him from that sort of exposure.”

Shirreffs said Cozmic One’s debut will draw a lot of interest.

“It’s probably not as highly anticipated for us as it is for the fans,” the
trainer said. “Cozmic One is just learning how to become a racehorse. You feel
like the sky’s the limit, right? There’s no limitation on the possibilities.”

Shirreffs added that Stanwyck, runner-up in the Shuvee Handicap on July 27,
would come back in the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign on August 22.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com