Zappa led all the way Wednesday and won the $150,000 Cougar II Handicap by 6 at Del Mar.
Ridden by Garrett Gomez, Zappa protected 1 1/2 loads in 2:30.30, the original time the remoteness has been contested over the spoors synthetic Polytrack surface.
Zappas success sure the 6-year-old gelding a spot in the $500,000 Breeders Cup Marathon on Oct. 25 at Santa Anita.
He paid $9.80, $4.80 and $3. Tissy Fit returned $5.40 and $2.40, giving trainer John Sadler a 1-2 finish in the race. Big Booster, the 3-5 wagering favorite, was another two lengths back in third and paid $2.10 to show.
The conquest, appeal $90,000, Zappas business balance to $449,032.
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Lava Man was emeritus Wednesday as pure racings richest mount after X-rays revealed changes in the chargers front ankles.
The 7-year-old gelding was claimed for $50,000 at Del Mar in 2004 and buffed his line of business with pay of $5,268,706, and 17 wins in 46 starts.
In 2006, Lava Man the basic steed to win the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic in the same year. He won uninterrupted Gold Cups, from 2005-07, harmonizing Native Divers feat. He also won the Big Cap in 2007.
But Lava Man hadnt visited the winners circle since June 30, 2007, ending his profession on a six-race down stripe. He gilded last in his closing flinch, the Eddie Read Handicap on July 20 at Del Mar.
Steve Kenly of STD Racing Stable, who co-owns Lava Man with Jason Wood, sure to step down Lava Man after the pony underwent exams at a hospital in Los Olivos, Calif. X-rays of the horses front ankles were significantly different from those taken prior this year, he said.
When we heard approaching the results of the X-rays, the outcome was easy, Kenly said. It was time to call it a day.
Doug ONeill claimed the mount for the contemporary and trained him the rest of his vocation.
Its been wonderful to be around such a elevated champion, he said. Hell be lost, but Im available to put in my vote for him to be our constant pony.
