War Pass Likely Juvenile Champion
Mr. Prospector Colt Will Be 2008's 3-Year-Old Favorite in Zito Barn
In 4 starts, War Pass is perfect. Nick Zito's Mr. Prospector colt last won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He wired the field of two-year-olds to become 2008's hot ticket.
Trainer Nick Zito thinks War Pass is as talented, and as exciting, as any young horse he has handled. In the Mr. Prospector colt's most recent win, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, War Pass set astounding fractions considering the condition of the track, which was very sloppy after two days of soaking rain. The colt should be a unanimous choice for 2007 Juvenile Champion.
Zito Says War Pass Best He's Had
War Pass will also lead the three-year-old field next season as a heavy favorite to do well in the spring preps for the Kentucky Derby. "As good as anything I've ever had my hands on," says Zito of the two-year-old. Zito trained Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones's 2004 bid for a Triple Crown when he zoomed from far back to catch Smarty at the wire.
Fractions of :22.76, :45.56, and 1:09.65 were recorded for War Pass as he zipped through mud and demolished the field in the BC Juvenile. His victory margin was 4-3/4 lengths over Pyro.
Prior to that impressive triumph, the youngster shunned his competition in the Champagne Stakes Oct. 6 at Belmont Park, winning by easily beating off the late challenge of Pyro by 1-1/2 lengths.
War Pass Breeding Is On Target
Bred at Kentucky's Cherry Valley Farm, War Pass is a Mr. Prospector bloodline product. His sire, Cherokee Run, was paired with the Mr. Prospector mare, Vue.
Trainer Zito doesn't hide his excitement for the colt's prospects. And his regular rider, Cornelio Velasquez, says the colt has speed to burn. War Pass likes to lead, according to Velasquez, and he has the stamina to make it hold up.
The two-year-old has already proved by way of the BC day slop that he can handle adversity. Those around him think he has that special intangible thing that could lead to true greatness.
History shows that those with the word "war" in their names do well -- Man o' War, War Admiral, War Chant, War Emblem, to use a few examples.
Triple Crown Talk
In 2008, War Pass will surely be on the lips of those who speak of theTriple Crown as early as January. The colt is that impressive.
The dark bay, or brown youngster has trainer Zito, at the least, whistling "My Old Kentucky Home". War Pass is "a well-deserved" winner of the BC Juvenile, Zito said.
Owned by Robert LaPenta, War Pass was purchased at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale for $180,000. Normally, LaPenta pinhooks his yearlings, that is, buys with the intention of reselling purchased stock at a profit, as weanling to yearling, yearling to juvenile.
In War Pass's case, LaPenta held onto his purchase because War Pass was withdrawn from the March 2007 Fasig-Tipton sales. Ankle chips caused the colt to be taken out of the March sale for specially selected two-year-olds in training.
Now, LaPenta and Zito could be harboring the next Triple Crown champion.
