All Systems Go for Mr. Z

Zayat Stables’ well-traveled juvenile Mr. Z (Malibu Moon), a narrowly beaten runner-up behind Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense) in the Nov. 22 GIII Delta Downs Jackpot S., tuned up for next Saturday’s GI Los Alamitos Futurity with a five-furlong drill in 1:00.00 at Los Alamitos Sunday for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. It was second fastest of 24 at the distance.

“I spoke to Wayne after the work and he told me that he worked really, really well,” Justin Zayat told TDN yesterday. “He was very happy with it and all systems are go for this coming week’s race. He said he couldn’t blow a match out when he came back–he worked so easily. That was very encouraging to hear. And it was nice to get him a breeze over the track. I think it will help him, being acclimated to his surroundings.” 

Mr. Z has already had plenty of experience at different tracks. The chestnut colt, who has been runner-up in four graded stakes this term, will be making his eighth start Saturday at his sixth different track. 

“This horse is a world traveler,” Zayat admitted. “With Wayne Lukas, he always says that he believes his 2-year-olds need a lot of seasoning before they go into their 3-year-old year. Every trainer has their own way of training, some have a more conservative route, but Wayne says, ‘I believe that you need to run them, that they need to learn through racing.’ And he says you don’t make money keeping your horse in the barn. If they are healthy and they are training well and their energy is good, then why not keep going.” 

Mr. Z was a debut winner at Churchill Downs in June before running second in the July 19 GIII Sanford S. and Aug. 10 GII Saratoga Special S. Fifth in the GIII Iroquois S. back at Churchill Sept. 6, he was runner-up behind Carpe Diem (Giant’s Causeway) in the Oct. 4 GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland before a fifth-place effort while deputizing for injured stable star American Pharaoh (Pioneerofthe Nile) in the Nov. 1 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. 

“This horse, being a January foal, he’s pretty mature and he’s a pretty big horse,” Zayat said. “We thought he looked like one that could sustain all that training. So he’s been to Churchill, he went to Saratoga for the summer, then back to Churchill, then to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup and then to Delta and now back to California. So I think this guy needs a free air flight.” 

Despite all the frequent-flyer miles, Mr. Z has yet to earn a graded victory and Zayat said a win in the Futurity would be extra special for his family. 

“That graded win would be great–especially it being the last Grade I of the year for 2-year-olds, with a horse named after my dad and it’s the day before my sister’s wedding. So it would all work out perfectly if he has his break-out race–which it looks like he is sitting on. To get it in a Grade I would be an unbelievable way to end the year.” 
Lukas already owns a Grade I victory at the Los Alamitos meet after Take Charge Brandi (Giant’s Causeway) cemented a juvenile fillies championship with her win in Saturday’s GI Starlet S. 

With an East Coast wedding on Sunday, the Zayat family won’t make it to California for the Futurity, but they will definitely be cheering on Mr. Z from afar. 

“Unfortunately we won’t be able to get out there, but trust me, you’ll hear yelling from New Jersey,” Zayat laughed.