Private Zone (ON) B , G, foaled April 12, 2009 ( Macho Uno - Auburn Beauty, by Siphon (BRZ)) Jockey: Martin A. Pedroza Trainer: Jorge Navarro Owner: Good Friends Stable, LLC Breeder: Adena Springs Career Record: 29 ; 9 - 8 - 3 Next Possible Start: Forego Stakes - Saratoga 8/29 |
The next horse to be featured on The " Horse Spotlight " Series is Private Zone. Owned by Good Friends Stables LLC, the 6 year old gelding has raced in 29 starts and has finished in the money 20 times earning $2,233,120.
Two Year Old Season
In his first season of racing, Private Zone ran four times at Presidente Remon Racetrack in Panama. There is not much information on his two year old season as it was not in America. All that is know is the race type and order of finish. His first start was on October 9th 2011 in a maiden. He ended up finishing 4th. Private Zone tried again on October 23rd in another maiden. This time he finished 2nd. Once again, Private Zone tried to break his maiden for a third time on November 20th. This time he was successful, and crossed the wire in first. In his last start as a 2 year old, Private Zone ran in the Grade 3 Clasico German Ruiz B. He crossed the wire in first, a great way to end his 2 year old year.
Two Year Old Season
In his first season of racing, Private Zone ran four times at Presidente Remon Racetrack in Panama. There is not much information on his two year old season as it was not in America. All that is know is the race type and order of finish. His first start was on October 9th 2011 in a maiden. He ended up finishing 4th. Private Zone tried again on October 23rd in another maiden. This time he finished 2nd. Once again, Private Zone tried to break his maiden for a third time on November 20th. This time he was successful, and crossed the wire in first. In his last start as a 2 year old, Private Zone ran in the Grade 3 Clasico German Ruiz B. He crossed the wire in first, a great way to end his 2 year old year.
Three Year Old Season
Private Zone raced eleven times as a three year old. He started off his three year old season on March 17th 2012 in an allowance at Presidente Remon Racetrack. The bay colt finished 5th. He tried again in the Clasico Francisco Arias Paredes y Alberto Arias Espinos Grade One Stakes on April 15th. Private Zone finished in first and returned to the Winner's Circle for the first time that year. His next race was the Grade One Clasico Dia Internacional del Trabajador Stakes on April 29th. He finished in 12th. Private Zone's last race in Panama was on May 20th, an allowance. This time he finished second. After his second place effort, Private Zone went to Del Mar in California. His first race in America was and allowance on July, 26th. He finished 4th, beaten by 2011 Haskell winner, Coil. Private Zone's next race at Del Mar was an ungraded stakes race, the El Cajon on August 31st. He ended up finishing 5th out of a field of 5 after staying in the third position before tiring. Next Private Zone went to Parx Casino and Racing in Pennsylvania for the Gallant Bob Stakes. After breaking well from the number 4 position, Private Zone sat in second, pressing Il Villano before crossing the wire in third. Private Zone went back up to California to the Santa Anita Racetrack. He ran in the Damascus Stakes on November 3rd. He crossed the wire in second to PoliticallyCorrect. Soon after, Private Zone went back to graded stakes races. On December 2nd, he ran in the Grade Three Vernon O Underwood at Betfair Hollywood Park. Private Zone broke well from the seventh position to go straight to the lead. He held the lead over the number two horse, Smash, before being challenged by Comma To The Top. He and Comma To The Top battled for the lead down the stretch as Smiling Tiger came on the outside to win it, while Private Zone was second. Private Zone's last start of 2012 was the Grade One Malibu at Santa Anita on December 26th. He continued his second place streak finished second once again.
Private Zone raced eleven times as a three year old. He started off his three year old season on March 17th 2012 in an allowance at Presidente Remon Racetrack. The bay colt finished 5th. He tried again in the Clasico Francisco Arias Paredes y Alberto Arias Espinos Grade One Stakes on April 15th. Private Zone finished in first and returned to the Winner's Circle for the first time that year. His next race was the Grade One Clasico Dia Internacional del Trabajador Stakes on April 29th. He finished in 12th. Private Zone's last race in Panama was on May 20th, an allowance. This time he finished second. After his second place effort, Private Zone went to Del Mar in California. His first race in America was and allowance on July, 26th. He finished 4th, beaten by 2011 Haskell winner, Coil. Private Zone's next race at Del Mar was an ungraded stakes race, the El Cajon on August 31st. He ended up finishing 5th out of a field of 5 after staying in the third position before tiring. Next Private Zone went to Parx Casino and Racing in Pennsylvania for the Gallant Bob Stakes. After breaking well from the number 4 position, Private Zone sat in second, pressing Il Villano before crossing the wire in third. Private Zone went back up to California to the Santa Anita Racetrack. He ran in the Damascus Stakes on November 3rd. He crossed the wire in second to PoliticallyCorrect. Soon after, Private Zone went back to graded stakes races. On December 2nd, he ran in the Grade Three Vernon O Underwood at Betfair Hollywood Park. Private Zone broke well from the seventh position to go straight to the lead. He held the lead over the number two horse, Smash, before being challenged by Comma To The Top. He and Comma To The Top battled for the lead down the stretch as Smiling Tiger came on the outside to win it, while Private Zone was second. Private Zone's last start of 2012 was the Grade One Malibu at Santa Anita on December 26th. He continued his second place streak finished second once again.
Four Year Old Season
Private Zone's first start of 2013 was in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita on January 19th. He finished second to Sahara Sky, but beat Zayat Stable's Justin Phillip. Next, Private Zone flew to Dubai for the Grade One Duabi Golden Shaheen on March 30th. He broke well from the number 12 post and went straight to the lead. The field had 400 meters to run and Private Zone was passed after battling for first and second and finished ninth out of thirteen horses. Private Zone went back to Del Mar for his next start in the Pirate's Bounty on September 4th. Private Zone crossed the wire in first and returned to the winner's circle for the first time this season. The east coast was next for Private Zone as he ran in the Grade One Vosburgh at Belmont Park in New York. Private Zone broke from the number 8 spot and went straight to the lead. At the quarter pole, Private Zone opened up his lead. As the field turned for home, Private Zone held the lead. Justin Phillip came to Private Zone's outside and the two battled for the lead all the way to the wire. Private Zone fought back hard for a photo finish. He ended up winning by a head. Back to the west coast Private Zone went for the Breeder's Cup Sprint on November 2nd. Private Zone got a good break from the number 7 posted and battled for the lead. As the field turned for home, Private Zone was in fifth and fading. He ended up finishing tenth. In his last start of his four year old season, Private Zone ran in the Grade One Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 30th. Private Zone broke great and went right to the front. At the quarter pole Private Zone still held the lead. At the half mile mark, he still had yet to be challenged for the lead. As the field turned for home Private Zone still held the lead. Flat Out came barreling from the outside to take over the lead right before the wire. Private Zone finished second.
Private Zone's first start of 2013 was in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita on January 19th. He finished second to Sahara Sky, but beat Zayat Stable's Justin Phillip. Next, Private Zone flew to Dubai for the Grade One Duabi Golden Shaheen on March 30th. He broke well from the number 12 post and went straight to the lead. The field had 400 meters to run and Private Zone was passed after battling for first and second and finished ninth out of thirteen horses. Private Zone went back to Del Mar for his next start in the Pirate's Bounty on September 4th. Private Zone crossed the wire in first and returned to the winner's circle for the first time this season. The east coast was next for Private Zone as he ran in the Grade One Vosburgh at Belmont Park in New York. Private Zone broke from the number 8 spot and went straight to the lead. At the quarter pole, Private Zone opened up his lead. As the field turned for home, Private Zone held the lead. Justin Phillip came to Private Zone's outside and the two battled for the lead all the way to the wire. Private Zone fought back hard for a photo finish. He ended up winning by a head. Back to the west coast Private Zone went for the Breeder's Cup Sprint on November 2nd. Private Zone got a good break from the number 7 posted and battled for the lead. As the field turned for home, Private Zone was in fifth and fading. He ended up finishing tenth. In his last start of his four year old season, Private Zone ran in the Grade One Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 30th. Private Zone broke great and went right to the front. At the quarter pole Private Zone still held the lead. At the half mile mark, he still had yet to be challenged for the lead. As the field turned for home Private Zone still held the lead. Flat Out came barreling from the outside to take over the lead right before the wire. Private Zone finished second.
Five Year Old Season
Private Zone's first start of 2014 was the Grade Three Turf Monster Handicap. This would be his first turf start and he ended up finishing fourth. Private Zone returned to Belmont Park for the Grade One Vosburgh which he had won in 2013. He broke well from post position number 7 and went to the early lead to battle with Happy My Way, before settling in second by a length. At the quarter pole, Private Zone drew even with Happy My Way and as the field turned for home Private Zone struck the front and took the lead. Dads Caps came to take on Private Zone but he battled right back and crossed the wire in first to win the Vosburgh for a second time. Private Zone went back to Santa Anita for the Breeder's Cup Sprint on November 1st. Breaking from post position number 5, Private Zone had a clean break and settled into fourth place. As the field turned for home Private Zone was in third. He held on for third. His last start of 2014 was the Grade One Cigar Mile in which he ran in last year. Breaking from the inside post, Private Zone had a fast break and went straight to the lead by a length. As the field leader, Private Zone set the pace and the quarter was run in 22.18 and the half was run in 44.18. As the field turned for home Private Zone still held the lead and he kept it all the way to the wire, winning his last start of the year.
Private Zone's first start of 2014 was the Grade Three Turf Monster Handicap. This would be his first turf start and he ended up finishing fourth. Private Zone returned to Belmont Park for the Grade One Vosburgh which he had won in 2013. He broke well from post position number 7 and went to the early lead to battle with Happy My Way, before settling in second by a length. At the quarter pole, Private Zone drew even with Happy My Way and as the field turned for home Private Zone struck the front and took the lead. Dads Caps came to take on Private Zone but he battled right back and crossed the wire in first to win the Vosburgh for a second time. Private Zone went back to Santa Anita for the Breeder's Cup Sprint on November 1st. Breaking from post position number 5, Private Zone had a clean break and settled into fourth place. As the field turned for home Private Zone was in third. He held on for third. His last start of 2014 was the Grade One Cigar Mile in which he ran in last year. Breaking from the inside post, Private Zone had a fast break and went straight to the lead by a length. As the field leader, Private Zone set the pace and the quarter was run in 22.18 and the half was run in 44.18. As the field turned for home Private Zone still held the lead and he kept it all the way to the wire, winning his last start of the year.
Six Year Old Season
Private Zone's first start of this year was the Grade Two Gulfstream Park Handicap at Gulfstream Park on March 7th 2015. As the even money favorite, Private Zone broke well from post number five and went straight to the lead. Up the backstretch Private Zone held the lead by a length. The number six horse, Valid, kept battling Private Zone for the lead, the two horses had a six length lead over the rest of the field. As the field turned for home Valid drew even with Private Zone and those two kept on battling. Wicked Strong and Honor Code both go moving on the outside and Private Zone was able to hold on for second while Honor Code was the winner. Next, Private Zone went to Churchill Downs in Kentucky for the Grade Two Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day. Private Zone broke well from post position number four and went straight for the early lead. The opening quarter mile was run in 22.30 as Private Zone continued to lead. As the field turned for home, Nates Mineshaft battled for the lead with Private Zone but Private Zone would not give up and pulled away from Nates Mineshaft to win the Churchill Downs Stakes. Private Zone went to Belmont Park for the Grade One Met Mile on Belmont Stakes Day. Private Zone would finish third to late running Honor Code and Tonalist. Private Zone's most recent start of this year was the Grade Three Belmont Sprint Championship on July 4th. He broke well from the rail and went straight to the lead with Green Gratto right on his heels. The first quarter was run in 22.40 and the half mile was run in 44.64. As the field turned for home, Private Zone kept his lead. Private Zone pulled away to win by 3 lengths.
Private Zone's first start of this year was the Grade Two Gulfstream Park Handicap at Gulfstream Park on March 7th 2015. As the even money favorite, Private Zone broke well from post number five and went straight to the lead. Up the backstretch Private Zone held the lead by a length. The number six horse, Valid, kept battling Private Zone for the lead, the two horses had a six length lead over the rest of the field. As the field turned for home Valid drew even with Private Zone and those two kept on battling. Wicked Strong and Honor Code both go moving on the outside and Private Zone was able to hold on for second while Honor Code was the winner. Next, Private Zone went to Churchill Downs in Kentucky for the Grade Two Churchill Downs Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day. Private Zone broke well from post position number four and went straight for the early lead. The opening quarter mile was run in 22.30 as Private Zone continued to lead. As the field turned for home, Nates Mineshaft battled for the lead with Private Zone but Private Zone would not give up and pulled away from Nates Mineshaft to win the Churchill Downs Stakes. Private Zone went to Belmont Park for the Grade One Met Mile on Belmont Stakes Day. Private Zone would finish third to late running Honor Code and Tonalist. Private Zone's most recent start of this year was the Grade Three Belmont Sprint Championship on July 4th. He broke well from the rail and went straight to the lead with Green Gratto right on his heels. The first quarter was run in 22.40 and the half mile was run in 44.64. As the field turned for home, Private Zone kept his lead. Private Zone pulled away to win by 3 lengths.
I talked to Jason Gordon via Twitter and email about Private Zone and he was able to speak to some of Private Zone's owners to get these answers for me.
Q) How did Private Zone come out of his last race?
A) He came out of the Belmont Sprint Championship really well. He was lucky he wasn't asked too much during the race. We have been targeting the Forego so this set up gave him a little extra time off between his races.
Q) Have you been impressed with the way he has been running lately?
A) Every time we see him race we all are in awe. It's surreal to have a horse like this. It's really amazing to have a horse maintain such good form for such a long time.
Q) What is he like around the barn? What is his personality like?
A) Private Zone is a very sweet horse. He can be a little corky at times and loves to stare out into the distance. He is fun and has played tug of war with my suit jacket before he won the Vosburgh for the second time.
Q) How often does Private Zone go on the track?
A) He goes out to the track once a day?
Q) How much has improved in the six years he has been running?
A) He has improved a great deal. We started watching his two and three year old races on YouTube when he was racing in Panama. He was crazy and erratic on the track. He would win races easily and other races he would just randomly stop. When we first saw him at Del Mar he was so skinny and Martin Pedroza was terrified to ride him. We are very thankful for all the previous trainers Private Zone has had and we contribute a lot of his success to their hard work. They had to basically retrain him before he was able to get in real workouts. Now, Private Zone is able to relax more on the racetrack and we have a good understanding of how he likes to race. He has been working like a true professional and does nothing wrong.
Q) What can he improve on?
A) Right now he is doing everything right that we have asked him to do.
Q) What would you like to see from him in the future?
A) This horse has proven so much already, all we can ask of him is to continue to show the heart he has throughout his career.
Q) Is the Breeder's Cup Sprint the goal for the end of the year?
A) Earlier this year we had thoughts of going into the Classic but now we are thinking that the distance might now be ideal for him. We want to put him in a situation where we feel we are setting him up for success. At this point my best guess would be the Sprint of the Mile.
Q) What is your favorite thing about him?
A) This horse means a lot to Good Friends Stables. He represents our frendships and our passion to help each other through tough times. Private Zone had brought us all a lot closer and he provided an outlet of joy during some hard time. We are fortunate to have Martin Pedroza as our jockey who is a childhood friend of our racing manager and owner Rene Douglas. Private Zone has taken us on a journey across the world and around the United States. He excites us with his front running style and his battle back mentality.
Q) Does Private Zone enjoy running?
A) He loves to run and he loves to run fast. He has a competitive spirit and always digs in hard.
Q) Any plans for the future?
A) We plan to run in the Forego Handicap at Saratoga on August 29th (today). We will then try to win the Vosburgh Stakes for a third time. After that he will probably have a lot of time off before the Breeder's Cup?
Q) Anything else you would like to add about Private Zone?
A) The next few races should be exciting with a lot of rising stars and hardened veterans in the sprint division. We feel lucky to be in the situation that we are in and can't wait to see what Private Zone has in store for us.
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I would like to wish Good Luck today to Private Zone and Good Friends Stables today in the Forego Handicap at Saratoga!
Q) How did Private Zone come out of his last race?
A) He came out of the Belmont Sprint Championship really well. He was lucky he wasn't asked too much during the race. We have been targeting the Forego so this set up gave him a little extra time off between his races.
Q) Have you been impressed with the way he has been running lately?
A) Every time we see him race we all are in awe. It's surreal to have a horse like this. It's really amazing to have a horse maintain such good form for such a long time.
Q) What is he like around the barn? What is his personality like?
A) Private Zone is a very sweet horse. He can be a little corky at times and loves to stare out into the distance. He is fun and has played tug of war with my suit jacket before he won the Vosburgh for the second time.
Q) How often does Private Zone go on the track?
A) He goes out to the track once a day?
Q) How much has improved in the six years he has been running?
A) He has improved a great deal. We started watching his two and three year old races on YouTube when he was racing in Panama. He was crazy and erratic on the track. He would win races easily and other races he would just randomly stop. When we first saw him at Del Mar he was so skinny and Martin Pedroza was terrified to ride him. We are very thankful for all the previous trainers Private Zone has had and we contribute a lot of his success to their hard work. They had to basically retrain him before he was able to get in real workouts. Now, Private Zone is able to relax more on the racetrack and we have a good understanding of how he likes to race. He has been working like a true professional and does nothing wrong.
Q) What can he improve on?
A) Right now he is doing everything right that we have asked him to do.
Q) What would you like to see from him in the future?
A) This horse has proven so much already, all we can ask of him is to continue to show the heart he has throughout his career.
Q) Is the Breeder's Cup Sprint the goal for the end of the year?
A) Earlier this year we had thoughts of going into the Classic but now we are thinking that the distance might now be ideal for him. We want to put him in a situation where we feel we are setting him up for success. At this point my best guess would be the Sprint of the Mile.
Q) What is your favorite thing about him?
A) This horse means a lot to Good Friends Stables. He represents our frendships and our passion to help each other through tough times. Private Zone had brought us all a lot closer and he provided an outlet of joy during some hard time. We are fortunate to have Martin Pedroza as our jockey who is a childhood friend of our racing manager and owner Rene Douglas. Private Zone has taken us on a journey across the world and around the United States. He excites us with his front running style and his battle back mentality.
Q) Does Private Zone enjoy running?
A) He loves to run and he loves to run fast. He has a competitive spirit and always digs in hard.
Q) Any plans for the future?
A) We plan to run in the Forego Handicap at Saratoga on August 29th (today). We will then try to win the Vosburgh Stakes for a third time. After that he will probably have a lot of time off before the Breeder's Cup?
Q) Anything else you would like to add about Private Zone?
A) The next few races should be exciting with a lot of rising stars and hardened veterans in the sprint division. We feel lucky to be in the situation that we are in and can't wait to see what Private Zone has in store for us.
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I would like to wish Good Luck today to Private Zone and Good Friends Stables today in the Forego Handicap at Saratoga!