Zazinga posted a powerful front-running performance to capture Saturday’s $125,000 La Prevoyante Stakes, at Woodbine.
The long-striding chestnut made her stakes debut a winning one, setting splits of :23.29 and :45.85 in the one-mile turf tilt for Ontario-sired sophomore fillies, opening up a 3 1/2-length lead at the top of the lane under Gary Boulanger en route to a smart score.
Regal Conqueror, sent to post as the 3-5 mutuel favourite, rallied for place over 10-1 shot Elgin. Zazinga, a 4 1/4-length winner, covered the mile in 1:33.43.
Trained by Steve Owens, the Head Chopper-Town Dance filly is a homebred for Owens and his wife Beverly Lewis-Owens. The victory marked the first stakes winner for Head Chopper.
Boulanger expected to make the pace in the compact six-horse field.
“We thought we could have the lead pretty easily if we wanted it,” Boulanger said. “The big thing with her is just getting her to relax. I know she went pretty quickly, but she did it really comfortably. When we got to the turn, I knew they were going to have to really run to get me. Turning for home, I picked her head up, and she got back underneath me again. I said I have a lot here, and she just kept going.”
Zazinga’s form has improved dramatically since moving to the turf. The chestnut made the first nine starts of her career on ‘Poly’ before breaking her maiden on August 8 over the Woodbine lawn. Last time out, Zazinga stayed on gamely in a grassy 1 1/8-miles allowance to be third.
Zazinga banked $75,000 in victory, while improving her record to 3-0-3 from 12 attempts.
She paid $10, $3.50 and $2.50, combining with Regal Conqueror ($2.40, $2.10) for a $20 (6-4) exactor. A 6-4-5 (Elgin, $2.70) triactor was worth $91.50.
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