Zivo Time

By Steve Sherack
   Coming off a powerful come-from-behind victory in the GII Suburban H. at Belmont Park July 5, Thomas Coleman’s streaking homebred Zivo (True Direction) will look to make it seven straight wins in Saturday’s GI Woodward S. at Saratoga. 
    Not a bad run for someone’s first foray into the breeding game, right? 
    “I own all or part of 15 horses, including one broodmare, and this is the first baby that she had [for me],” said Coleman, who co-founded the Connecticut-based hedge fund Kensico Capital in 2000. 
“I wouldn’t say that I’m a small operation because I also own a piece of a horse that was in the Breeders’ Cup last year [2013 GIII Miss Grillo S. heroine and GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf runner-up Testa Rossi {Fr} {Dr Fong}, but it’s a great story.” 
    Zivo’s dam American Skipper (Quiet American) was purchased by Carlos Morales and Joe Appelbaum’s Off the Hook LLC for $47,000 on behalf of Coleman while in foal to Olmodavor at the 2007 Keeneland November Sale. Morales, of course, trained the hard-knocking sprinter True Direction and American Skipper’s subsequent mate for the majority of his career, including a win in the 2002 GIII Fall Highweight at the Big A. To date, the 5-year-old Zivo has captured nine of 15 starts, including a trio of New York-bred stakes, and has amassed $782,300 in earnings. 
    “I just write the checks–between [trainer] Chad [Brown], Joey and Carlos, I’m really just a glorified treasurer,” the 48-year-old said with a laugh. 
    Just like his current stable star, Coleman, too, is an Empire-bred. 
    “Growing up, I went to Yonkers Raceway with a buddy and the goal was to have enough money to buy Chinese food after the races,” Coleman, a father of three, reflected of his early racing memories. “Sometimes we achieved it, and sometimes we had to hit an ATM. But we always ate.” 
    Coleman’s longtime friendship with Appelbaum also helped paved the way to get him into the game. 
    “Joey and I went to camp outside of Saratoga [30-plus years ago], and on our days off, we’d go play the horses,” Coleman–a graduate of Union College in upstate New York–explained. “Later on once I had some money, the first horse that I bought unfortunately broke down in training, but the second one we pinhooked for $500,000. From there, I’ve been doing everything–breeding, buying, racing, etc.” 
    He concluded, “Racing seduces you in so many ways. What’s not to love?” 
    Zivo, a last-to-first winner of the 10-furlong Suburban downstate, is the 5-1 third-choice in the Woodward. Moreno (Ghostzapper), three lengths back in second after setting a scorching pace that day, returned to capture the GI Whitney H. at the Spa Aug. 2. The two lock horns again this weekend. 
    “This one particular race doesn’t set up great for him, but after this, he could really figure deep into the fall,” Coleman warned. “He’s got a shot in both of those races [GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Sept. 27 and GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Nov. 1], so we’re really excited.” 
   Now that can get you some really good egg rolls.