4th-SA, $56k, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, post time: 5:30 p.m. ET
Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss's ZICONIC (Tapit), the second foal to compete out of 2010 Horse of the Year and $7.3 million-earner Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}), makes his second career start in this spot for trainer John Shireffs. Piloted by Mike Smith–who rode Zenyatta to 13 Grade I wins, including the 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Classic–Ziconic offered his best impression of his dam's patented late-running style when closing from last of seven to report home third in his seven-furlong unveiling in Arcadia Feb. 20. The chestnut posted two maintenance workouts over the local strip in the interim and has been tabbed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. TJCIS PPs
8th-OP, $78k, Alw/OC, 3yo, 6f, post time: 5:42 p.m. ET
Winchell Thoroughbreds' COUNTERFORCE (Smart Strike) notched a hard-fought debut victory over trip and track in Hot Springs Mar. 5 and makes his first start facing winners in the Friday feature. The Steve Asmussen trainee is out of a dam who is a half-sister to GISW Streaming (Smart Strike), and her third dam is 2007 Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minster), who produced GI Belmont S. winners Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold) as well as GSW & GISP Casino Drive (Mineshaft). Marked as the 9-5 morning-line favorite, the dark bay's stiffest competition may come from Major League (Malibu Moon), who impressively captured a six-furlong dash in his career debut here Jan. 30 before fading to sixth when stretched out to a mile Feb. 19. The Gary and Mary West colorbearer tuned up for this cutback in distance with a bullet four-panel breeze in :47 flat [1/71] at Oaklawn Mar. 20. TJCIS PPs
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