Champagne under consideration for Grand Arrival following
‘special’ maiden win
Nick Zito was in a philosophical mood on Sunday, the
morning after Richard C. Pell’s Grand Arrival broke his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths
and was led into the winner’s circle by exercise rider Raymond Bulgado, who
suffered a fractured neck in a training accident just four days earlier.
“That’s real life, and it’s something where you put
everything into perspective,” Zito said. “I was bawling like everybody else
(when Bulgado led Grand Arrival into the winner’s circle), and then I kind of
got my composure because I didn’t want to lose the moment here. Obviously, God
talks to you and says, ‘Make sure we enjoy the moment.’ That’s a good moment, a
special moment. So that was great.”
It was the second career start for Grand Arrival, who
showed early speed between horses, began his advance while racing on the outside
on the far turn, led at the top of the stretch, and was driven home by Rosie
Napravnik to a 6 1/4-length victory.
“It’s always nice when a two-year-old does what you think
he’s supposed to do,” Zito noted. “We just hope he goes forward. He came out of
the race great, thank God.”
In his lone previous start, Grand Arrival was third, beaten
10 1/2 lengths, by Grade 1 Hopeful entrant Big Sugar Soda.
“(Grand Arrival) had a little trouble,” Zito explained the
colt’s debut. “He kind of jumped in the air, and (two horses) squeezed him a
little bit. It was good experience, and the next time he ran to what everybody
thought he would run to, which is always good because great expectations bring
great disappointment.”
Zito said he will consider the Grade 1, $500,000
Champagne on October 5 at Belmont Park for Grand Arrival’s next start.
“It looked like he’d go a distance of ground, which is
great,” Zito said. “We’ll see what happens. We’ll see how he develops.”
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com