Navarro Mulling BC Dirt Mile for Private Zone
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Although Private Zone's dominating gate-to-wire victory in the Priority One Jets Forego Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 29 guaranteed a spot for him in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), trainer Jorge Navarro is already considering an alternative.
"The way he did that yesterday, why not the (Breeders' Cup) Dirt Mile?" the trainer said. "We have to see where Tonalist and Honor Code are going, because those are two very nice horses—top horses. I think it is the Sprint we're sitting on top right now. We're going to the Breeders' Cup, but I hate to say which one right now. I'll get together with Rene (Douglas) this week and we'll make plans from there."
BALAN: Private Zone Speeds to Forego Victory
Douglas is the former jockey and managing partner of Good Friends Stable, which owns the 6-year-old gelding by Macho Uno . Over the winter Douglas offered Navarro the chance to condition Private Zone, who closed his 2014 campaign with a win in the Cigar Mile (gr. I). Douglas wanted the horse moved east and previous trainer Doug O'Neill did not want to relocate.
Although Navarro, who has 68 horses in his stable at Monmouth Park and another 17 at Gulfstream Park West, was a relative unknown on the national scene, Douglas had faith and confidence in him. The Forego win was Private Zone's fourth grade I score, but the first for Navarro, who had 454 career wins through Saturday.
"The opportunity that was given to me is one in a million. I don't know if I'll ever get to train another horse like this one. He is so special," Navarro said. "This is a racehorse. He's an amazing horse to have around. To tell you the truth, I was so excited about his win that my body was ready to explode after his race.
"But my wife and my kids were not around, so I am waiting until I get home so I can share that with them. I'll cry, laugh, and really enjoy the moment, but I want to save it and do it with my family. I'm 40, but have been on the racetrack 26 years. Yesterday was the crowning moment. I believe it's going to get nothing but better from here."
With Private Zone in his barn, that looks like a safe bet.
"The horse is doing super today," Navarro said. "I was pretty amazed at the way he came back from the race and how quick he cooled out. I can't believe how he came back. It's really good. He looked like he did everything so easy and he wasn't used. I am very pleased and happy with him."