After drawing the rail and going off as the overwhelming favorite in the race at 1-4, Big Brown was eased in the stretch in the grueling 1 1/2 mile race.
Even with War Pass out, Zito kept plugging away. But there was something about the way he ran the Barbaro Stakes that made Zito think he was onto something. But I had a feeling.
t that point, Da’ Tara was still a project, coming in fifth during the lightly regarded Derby Trial in late April.
The victory was the first Triple Crown win for the 22-year-old Garcia, whom Zito had replaced on Da’ Tara after that first ride, and the colt went through four riders over his next races before Zito decided to give him another try in the Belmont. Anak Nakal and Ready’s Echo finished in a dead heat for third. He sent Anak Nakal — who wound up in a dead heat for third in the Belmont — and Cool Coal Man to the paddock at Churchill Downs in the Run for the Roses.
Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown was trying to become first thoroughbred to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in the same year since Affirmed in 1978.
But last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion’s path to the Triple Crown ended in April because of a leg injury.
Only the move never came.
The 3-year-old colt spoiled Big Brown’s run at history Saturday, claiming the Belmont as the longest shot in the nine-horse field and giving his vivacious owner and trainer Nick Zito redemption. ”
Da’ Tara did it by zipping to the lead under jockey Alan Garcia, who hadn’t ridden the colt since the horse’s debut race at Belmont last September.
Anak Nakal and Ready’s Echo finished in a dead heat for third. Neither horse factored in the race, with Anak Nakal finishing seventh and Cool Coal Man ending up 15th. But there was something about the way he ran the Barbaro Stakes that made Zito think he was onto something. Anak Nakal and Ready’s Echo finished in a dead heat for third.
“We wish we were here with War Pass, but Da’ Tara said he would do it for him,” a giddy LaPenta said.
On Saturday, that something turned into one of the more remarkable wins in Zito’s storied career.
“Not one writer mentioned Da’ Tara to come in anywhere in the race except next to last,” LaPenta said.
Asked to put the win in career perspective, Zito referenced a song used in the documentary “The First Saturday in May,” which chronicled the 2006 Derby.
The victory was the first Triple Crown win for the 22-year-old Garcia, whom Zito had replaced on Da’ Tara after that first ride, and the colt went through four riders over his next races before Zito decided to give him another try in the Belmont.
“Big Brown’s a champion. ”
Da’ Tara did it by zipping to the lead under jockey Alan Garcia, who hadn’t ridden the colt since the horse’s debut race at Belmont last September.
After drawing the rail and going off as the overwhelming favorite in the race at 1-4, Big Brown was eased in the stretch in the grueling 1 1/2 mile race.
But last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion’s path to the Triple Crown ended in April because of a leg injury.
“Not one writer mentioned Da’ Tara to come in anywhere in the race except next to last,” LaPenta said. “They kept saying he didn’t belong in the race.
“They have a song in there, I think, that’s absolutely appropriate to what happened today, ‘Rain or Shine,’ and today was shine.
On Saturday, that something turned into one of the more remarkable wins in Zito’s storied career.
“Nick called about a week ago and he said, ‘Are we crazy?’” LaPenta said.
“They have a song in there, I think, that’s absolutely appropriate to what happened today, ‘Rain or Shine,’ and today was shine. He just wasn’t himself today and we took advantage of it,” Zito said.
“Nick called about a week ago and he said, ‘Are we crazy?’” LaPenta said. ”
Da’ Tara did it by zipping to the lead under jockey Alan Garcia, who hadn’t ridden the colt since the horse’s debut race at Belmont last September.
Da’ Tara wasn’t even considered for the Derby, not after finishing 23 1/2 lengths behind Big Brown in the Florida Derby.
On Saturday, that something turned into one of the more remarkable wins in Zito’s storied career.
