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Z fans didn't have to wait long for another Z-named, Jerry-and-Ann-Moss-owned filly to win a grade I race in California. Zazu, a striking gray filly by Tapit (TrueNicks,SRO), came from last to out-finish favored Turbulent Descent in the one-mile Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) on Saturday.

Zazu is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Rhumb Line, who won her first three starts before being well-beaten in Spoken Fur's 2003 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I). Rhumb Line won twice at seven furlongs on dirt, and once at a mile on turf.

In addition to Zazu, Rhumb Line has produced the Officer filly Art Princess, second in the Cherry Hinton Stakes (gr. II) over six furlongs in England.

Tapit has two stakes winners from just seven starters out of Gone West line mares, and the cross is rated A++ on TrueNicks. Zazu's mating is intriguing, as both Pulpit (TrueNicks,SRO)—Tapit's sire—and Mr. Greeley carry Mr. Prospector in their second generation, with multiple strains of Bold Ruler. Zazu is inbred 4x5x5 to Mr. Prospector and 6x4x4 to Nijinsky II. Plus, Zazu's five strains of Bold Ruler are through four different sons—Boldnesian, Secretariat, What a Pleasure, and Reviewer.

A $285K yearling purchase, Zazu is named for the 1986 Rosie Vela album released by A&M Records. Zazu produced the mild UK hit "Magic Smile." Zazu is not named for the highbrow hornbill character from The Lion King. This Zazu is shown below as Simba's disapproving jungle chaperone.

Filed under: Recent Winners