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Zee Bros runs rivals off their feet in Chick Lang
The 5-2 second choice, Zee Bros returned $7.40, $5 and $4.20. The order of finish was completed by City of Weston, Undrafted, Res Judicata, Perilous Indian, Clawback and Tour Guide. Runner-up in his Santa Anita debut on February 9, Zee Bros rebounded to impressively take a seven-furlong maiden over the same track the following month. Last time, the Brother Derek colt set a fast pace in the April 27 Derby Trial, but weakened to sixth in the final furlong of that one-mile test. His career earnings now stand at $106,814. "His Derby Trial, he went real fast, the track was off and tiring," Baffert said. "He got a lot out of it and we expected him to run a big race today." Bred in Kentucky by Eico Stable, Zee Bros was a $270,000 OBS April juvenile purchase. He was produced by the Montbrook mare Nyanza, a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning produceer Sweet Nanette. Zee Bros' third dam was Grade 3 winner Sweet Saree.
The run into the clubhouse turn was marred when Yougotthatgoinforu, a 44-1 longshot, proved difficult for jockey Emilio Flores to restrain, clipped heels with a rival and unseated Flores. Yougotthatgoinforu impeded Wry Me in the process, and the latter was later pulled up. Also failing to finish was Red Wings, who bobbled entering the first turn and was pulled up. Shining Copper finished second, three lengths clear of 2-1 favorite Notacatbutallama. English Minister, China Holiday, Heat Press and Honour the Vow were the last to cross the finish line. Special Skills was withdrawn. Redwood Kitten placed in two of his first four starts, and then broke his maiden for a $65,000 claiming tag at Gulfstream Park in December. Third in a $100,000 stakes named for his sire on January 20, Redwood Kitten came back to finish second to future Grade 3 winner Black Onyx in an allowance, and was most recently third in the Transylvania at Keeneland. His record now stands at 9-2-2-3, $122,800. A homebred foaled in Illinois, Redwood Kitten is a full brother to multiple stakes winner Artemus Kitten and the stakes-winning Lisa's Kitten. All were produced by the Woodman mare Chianti Red. This extended family is responsible for French champion and noted sire Caerleon, and Grade 1 winners Scan and Vision. Redwood Kitten's fifth dam was Regal Gleam, the champion juvenile filly of 1966.
Owned by Tim O'Donohue and trained by John Robb, Debt Ceiling is now undefeated in two starts with earnings of $66,660. The son of Discreet Cat was also an impressive 4 1/2-length winner of his debut at Laurel on March 30 going 4 1/2 furlongs. "We'll go back to Laurel after this. We were just pointing to this race. There aren't a lot of spots for him right now," Robb said. "His first race, he was not really ready and we didn't expect him to run as well as he did. But he was ready for this one." Bred in Kentucky by Brandywine Farm, Debt Ceiling was a $27,000 Keeneland September yearling. He was produced by the stakes-winning Top Marks, a daughter of Marquetry, and is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Dean's List. This family has yielded Grade 1 winner West Coast Scout and Grade 2 victor Mountain Cat. "I picked him out at Keeneland and I really liked his eye," O'Donohue said. "It was like the eye of a tiger and he was very professional. He was the total package and his family -- the runners are very precocious." Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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