Page 172 - Speedhorse March 2019

Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship-G1
ZOOMIN FOR SPUDS
by Tracy Gantz
Zoomin For Spuds knows how to qualify
for the Champion of Champions-G1.
He does it every year. Winner of that pres- tigious race in 2016, Zoomin For Spuds qualified for the 2019 edition by winning the $157,200 Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship-G1 on Feb. 10.
With that victory, Zoomin For Spuds became the fifth horse to qualify four or more times to the Champion of Champions. Following his 2016 win, the gelding ran third in the race in 2017 and fourth in 2018.
In the Winter Championship, he improved his position, having run second last year. With jockey Jesus Ayala aboard, Zoomin For Spuds broke on top from the rail, increased his lead
to 1/2-length, and then held off Eyesa The Favorite, Katies Easy Moves, and He Looks Hot to win by a head in :19.500 for 400 yards, post- ing a 99 speed index. Zoomin For Spuds went off as the 9-5 favorite over the wet-sealed surface.
“He liked the post position number one,” said Ayala. “It was a bit slippery down there,
but the horse ran his race. He’s always fast at the break, but in the final yards I started feel- ing that the horses on the outside were getting closer. But my horse never stopped, never lost his rhythm.”
Monty Arrossa trains Zoomin For Spuds for Jim Walker, who owns the six-year-old gelding and bred him in Idaho.
“Jim’s goal with this horse is that he wants to see him win a million dollars,” said Arrossa. “My goal has always been to get back in the Champion of Champions. We are there and hope- fully we can make that million-dollar goal next.”
With the $66,024 winner’s share from the Brad McKinzie Winter Championship-G1 victory, Zoomin For Spuds increased his total earnings to $779,990. It is a bankroll that has swelled through 11 stakes wins, including the 2018 Vessels Maturity-G1, and six stakes- placings. The chestnut gelding now has a race record of 37-14(11)-11(2)-7(4).
“I was proud to run fourth (in the 2018 Champion of Champions),” said Arrossa.
“That was a horse race. Those were the best older horses in the country, and he got outrun by a head bob.”
Bodacious Eagle, who was later named the 2018 World Champion, won last year’s Champion of Champions, with Jesstacartel second and BH Lisas Boy third.
“Jim is turning 87 this year, but he’s sharp as a tack and a goer,” said Arrossa. “Jim is doing well. Idaho is getting pounded with snow, especially where he lives. The last couple of days when I’ve talked to him, he’s been out on a loader moving snow and chasing elk out of his place.”
Walker raised Zoomin For Spuds and loves his horse. The owner bred the gelding out of winner A Perfect Cocktail, a mare he bought
Los Alamitos $157,200 • 400 yards :19.500 • si 99
Shazoom
Zoomin For Bux
Oh No Its Uh Oh
ZOOMIN FOR SPUDS, ‘13-g.
Corona Cocktail
A Perfect Cocktail
A Perfect Strawberry
Zoomin For Spuds & Jesus Ayala go wire-to-wire winning the $157,200 Brad McKinzie Los Alamitos Winter Championship-G1.
168 SPEEDHORSE, March 2019
RACING NEWS
Los Alamitos