Zazu to test elders in Clement Hirsch

While the decision caught many observers off guard, the rationale is easy to

understand. Zazu is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, who campaigned Horse of

the Year Zenyatta to an unprecedented three straight victories in the Clement

Hirsch, and Zenyatta never raced in New York. Zazu won't have to risk shipping,

but staying at home will deny trainer John Sadler the opportunity to win two

major prizes.

Switch, who is owned C R K Stable, is the likely Clement Hirsch favorite for

Sadler. The four-year-old filly recorded a couple of nice victories in the La

Brea (G1) and Santa Monica (G1) over the winter and hasn't been disgraced while

dropping her last two outings, finishing second by less than length to Havre de

Grace (Saint Liam) in the Apple Blossom (G1) prior to a close runner-up to

champion Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision) in the June 18 Vanity H. (G1). And Switch

posted an impressive 3 1/4-length tally in the Torrey Pines S. when trying Del

Mar's Polytrack last year.

Switch's 110 BRIS Speed rating two starts back is a field-best.

Grade 3 winner FREEDOM STAR (Street Cry [Ire]) hails from the dangerous Bob

Baffert stable and will be the one to catch beneath Alonso Quinonez. The

five-year-old mare rolled to a 3 1/2-length decision when making her 2011 debut

in the June 24 Iowa Distaff H. last out and broke her maiden over Del Mar's

Polytrack two years ago. ULTRA BLEND (Richly Blended) exits an encouraging

performance in the seven-furlong A Gleam H. (G2) on July 16, finishing a nose

second on the head bob, and the versatile mare owns a 3-2-0-1 mark at the

Clement Hirsch distance. Tyler Baze will take the reins for trainer Art Sherman.

WASHINGTON BRIDGE (Yankee Gentleman), who is winless in six starts since

capturing the Bayakoa H. (G2) last December, and recent allowance/optional

claiming scorer ELLAFITZ (Tiznow) round out the line-up.