Zivo Returns Against NY-Breds at Spa

Not seen at the races in 10 months, grade II winner Zivo is set to return Sept. 4 at Saratoga Race Course in the $100,000 Evan Shipman Stakes for New York-breds. 

 

In the care of the meet's leading trainer, Chad Brown, Zivo will start for the first time since last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), in which he finished eighth, beaten 10 1/2 lengths. 

 

The Thomas Coleman homebred had a successful campaign in 2014 that was highlighted by a five-race win streak culminating in a three-length triumph in the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park. The son of True Direction also finished second in the grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont and was fourth in the grade I Woodward Stakes at Saratoga.

 

Jose Ortiz will take the mount aboard Zivo, and the pair will depart from outermost post 6.

 

Trainer Gary Sciacca will send out the hard-knocking Saratoga Snacks, who is coming off a win in the Saginaw Stakes on July 18 at Belmont. 

 

Saratoga Snacks is 2-for-4 in 2015, having won a New York-bred allowance race in addition to his Saginaw score. Through 21 career starts, the bay ridgling has a record of 9-4-4 with earnings of $652,000. He will be ridden again by Hall of Famer John Velazquez from post 4.

 

Empire Dreams will return to New York-bred company after finishing eighth in the Alydar Stakes Aug. 9 at Saratoga. Gelded at the start of his 4-year-old season, Empire Dreams has a win and two second-place finishes on the year, with his lone victory coming in the Commentator Stakes on May 25 at Belmont, in which he defeated third-place finisher Saratoga Snacks by three-quarters of a length.

 

Trained by Tom Albertrani for West Point Thoroughbreds, Empire Dreams will be ridden by Manny Franco from the rail.

 

Rounding out the field are Sea Raven, fifth in a first-level allowance race last out; Gridley Here, third in the Saginaw two starts back; and Royal Posse, winner of a New York-bred optional claimer in his most recent start.