Private Zone Targets Breeders’ Cup Classic

Good Friends Stable’s MGISW Private Zone (Macho Uno), recent winner of the GII Churchill Downs S. May 2, has arrived at Monmouth Park and will be pointed toward a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at season’s end, according to trainer Jorge Navarro. 

“The Classic is the ultimate goal,” commented Navarro. “[Co-owner] Rene Douglas told me he thinks the horse wants to go longer. Every time he hits the wire, he just keeps on going, so the plan is to stretch him out.” 

Private Zone was transferred to Navarro following his win in the Nov. 29 GI Cigar Mile for trainer Alfredo Velazquez. The bay was runner-up by a half-length behind Honor Code (A.P. Indy) in the GII Gulfstream Park H. over one mile Mar. 7, prior to his victory in the seven-furlong Churchill Downs S. 

After arriving to Navarro’s barn at the Oceanport oval, Private Zone worked a bullet four furlongs in :47 flat May 20. The trainer noted that the gelding will make his next start at Belmont, but will likely target the series of graded stakes for older males over increasing distances at Monmouth during his summer campaign.

“He’s been really happy since we got him,” added Navarro. “Right now we’re looking at the GI Met Mile on Belmont Stakes day [June 6], but after that, there are races at Monmouth that we are looking at like the GIII Salvator Mile [July 5], GII Monmouth Cup [Aug. 2] and the GIII Iselin S. [Aug. 30].”