City Zip, ridden by Jose Santos
Carl Bowling and Charles R. Thompson's City Zip pressed early leader Strait Cat through opening fractions of :22.17 and :45.27 before pulling away to a 2 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) Wednesday at Saratoga. The win marks the third consecutive stakes victory for the 2-year-old son of Carson City, who previously won the Tremont Stakes (gr. III) and Sanford Stakes (gr. II). Jose Santos, City Zip's regular rider since the colt was switched to trainer Linda Rice following a close second-place finish in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs in May, was in the irons for the win.Over a fast track, City Zip completed the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.88. D. Wayne Lukas trainee Scorpion finished second, another 2 1/4 lengths ahead of 65-1 Panamanian import Standard Speed. Jacksrbetter, American Century, Brocco Bob, Zone Judge, and Strait Cat completed the order of finish. City Zip returned $3.50 for the win and led a $9.60 exacta.City Zip was bred in Kentucky by Stronach Stables and earned $90,000 for the win, his fourth from seven career races. (Chart, Equibase)
