City Zip Rebounds in Tremont

Carl Bowling and Charles Thompson's City Zip made amends for a disappointing performance in the $82,000 Flash Stakes in June, winning the $107,200 Tremont Stakes (gr. III) by 2 3/4 lengths Monday at Belmont Park. With Jose Santos in the irons, City Zip stalked early leader The Goo before drawing away in the stretch, stopping the timer after 5 1/2 furlongs run in 1:03.81 over a fast track.

After setting early fractions of :21.83 and :45.48, The Goo faded to second place, three lengths clear of betting favorite Scorpion. Faah Emiss was fourth and Light of Justice fifth.

City Zip, a Carson City 2-year-old, was transferred to Linda Rice's barn just prior to the Flash, in which he finished third. 11 days before the Flash, he came home second, beaten by only a 1/2-length, in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III) while conditioned by James Chapman. City Zip earned $64,320 for the win, his second in five starts. He was bred in Kentucky by Stronach Stables.

"The last time he ran, he shipped in from Kentucky and only had 11 days between starts," said Rice. "Time between races and getting familiar with his new surroundings was key." Rice added that City Zip lost his left-front shoe while racing Monday.

As the fourth choice in the five-horse field, City Zip returned $15.80, $5.40, and $2.70. The exacta paid $36.