Secret Zipper wins third consecutive race
Jockey J. G. Torrealba rides three winners

LAUREL, MD – “He did that so easy,” jockey Xavier Perez told assistant trainer Colton Moore as he piloted Mr. Antonelli to the winner’s circle following Friday’s featured eighth race at Laurel Park, a conditioned allowance with a $55,000 claiming option.

Mr. Antonelli, a 5-year-old gelding by Mendelssohn conditioned by Diane Morici, tracked Tenebris and Seven’s Eleven as those two sped through fractions of 22.76 and 46.80 over a good racetrack that produced slow final times all day.

Seven’s Eleven put away Tenebris turning into the stretch, but Perez had Mr. Antonelli charging on the outside. The hard-trying Mr. Antonelli steadily reeled in Seven’s Eleven and continued about his business to prevail by 5 ½ lengths in 1:12.80.

Seven’s Eleven held second, a half-length better than late-charging Murray. Then came Tenebris and Five Dreams. No Cents and Debit Card scratched.

Mr. Antonelli returned $4 as the betting favorite.

“Everything we’ve asked of this horse, he’s done,” Moore said. “Getting this horse started, it was a little bit of a long road, but he’s come a long way. We’re super-happy with him.”

Moore mentioned that some “minor setbacks” have kept Mr. Antonelli from campaigning more often. Friday’s race was only the ninth start of his career.

“We just wanted to take our time with him,” Moore said. “Xavier loves this horse. He does a great job with him.”

Mr. Antonelli was bred in Kentucky by Hunter Valley Farm, Adrian Regan, Pat Barrett, Keith Lazarz, and Richie Galway. He sold for $82,000 as a short yearling before being purchased by Morici Racing Stable for $27,000 as an OBS April juvenile.

Mr. Antonelli has won three of his last four starts, and Moore said that “stakes are definitely in his future.”

Secret Zipper wins third consecutive race

Favored Secret Zipper ($6) earned his third consecutive victory with a strong 7 ¼-length triumph in the seventh race, a first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16 miles.

Trained by Gary Capuano, Secret Zipper settled just off pacesetter Virginia City through fractions of 24.80 and 49.35 seconds, burst to the lead under jockey J. G. Torrealba after six furlongs in 1:14.48, then drew off powerfully to complete the distance in 1:48.80.

War Master nipped Virginia City for the place. Middleburg, Collection Day, Collier’s Time, Margie’s Fun Son, Galatians, and Under the Radar completed the order of finish. Cap Com scratched.

“He’s been training good,” Capuano said of the 4-year-old gelding. “He’s a big horse. We gave him some time to get himself together, and he’s just been solid. He’s put together three really good races now.”

Secret Zipper won his second start at two, a 5 1/2-furlong waiver maiden at Delaware, then went winless from four starts before beginning his current streak.

“He ran well early on, too, but we just needed to let him fill out,” Capuano continued. “Early on, going short, he showed some speed. He has some natural speed. Going two turns, he gets into a nice cruising speed.”

Capuano wasn’t concerned about the track condition.

“It’s not really that wet,” Capuano mentioned. “It’s a little on the heavier side, a little deep and slow, which is fine. He’s good and fit, so I wasn’t worried about that much.”

A homebred owned by Frank Sample, Secret Zipper is a half-brother to Onyx Ten, who recently grabbed the Xtra Heat Stakes at Laurel for Capuano, Torrealba, and Sample.

Around the track:

J. G. Torrealba, an Eclipse Award finalist for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey last year, rode three winners on the Friday program. Not only did Torrealba score with Secret Zipper, but he wired the field in the opener with odds-on Mor Mor Mor and rallied from off the pace with heavily favored True Sunshine in the fourth…Trainer Kieron Magee saddled True Sunshine and sixth-race winner Minister for Magic…Capuano plans to run Sacred Thunder, recently a troubled third in the Spectacular Bid Stakes, in the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile on Feb. 22. “That’s three in a row now where he’s had three rough trips,” Capuano said… The Miracle Wood could also feature the unbeaten One Man Team, scheduled to breeze Saturday morning for trainer Brittany Russell…Capuano’s older stakes star, Copper Tax, is getting a rest. “He’s good,” Capuano stated. “We gave him a little breather and sent him to the farm. We’ll probably give him another 30 days there to freshen him up, and try to get a really good summer campaign with him.”…Live racing resumes on Saturday afternoon. The first post time is 12:25 p.m. ET.