Zanotti on the muscle for Excelsior

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When Zanotti upset the $125,000 Queens County Stakes at Aqueduct in December, he hadn’t raced in five months.

When Zanotti looks to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct, he will be running back in three weeks. But, compared to Control Group and Harlan Punch – who are wheeling back in one week – Zanotti should be well rested.

“My only concern is we’re not giving him enough time,” said Juan Carlos Guerrero, trainer of Zanotti, who on March 17 ran second in the Harrison Johnson Memorial at Laurel Park. “But training-wise, he’s been training really good and he looks great. He’s biting everybody. He tried to bite me the other day, he bit my groom yesterday, so he’s on the muscle right now. I think we’re going to see a big race.”

Guerrero thought Jorge Vargas may have had Zanotti a little too far back in the Harrison Johnson. He was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Something Awesome, who had previously won the Grade 3 General George. Paco Lopez will be aboard Zanotti on Saturday from post 3.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez entered the trio of Control Group, Wild About Deb, and Admiral Blue in the Excelsior, run at 1 1/8 miles. Control Group is coming off a hardearned victory in the Mr. Sinatra last Saturday. Rodriguez is concerned that the race was pretty hard on Control Group.

“They pressed him hard,” Rodriguez said. “Turco Bravo didn’t leave him alone.”

Admiral Blue was fourth in the Harrison Johnson, but is reunited with Junior Alvarado, who was aboard for an allowance win on Feb. 1. Wild About Deb pressed a pedestrian pace and won an allowance race here on March 3.

Harlan Punch had a threerace winning streak snapped when he was fourth in the Caixa Eletronica going seven furlongs here last Saturday.

“Seven-eighths isn’t his best distance, he didn’t break good, he was in between horses, and he got banged around pretty good,” said trainer David Jacobson.

Harlan Punch won the Stymie Stakes on six days’ rest earlier this winter.

Backsideofthemoon and Discreet Lover complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Zanotti, by Gio Ponti Last 3 Beyers: 97-92-97

◗ Has five wins and five seconds and earned $257,600 in 10 starts since being claimed for $30,000 by Guerrero in November 2016.

◗ Showed the ability to handle a wet track when he won the Queens County over a sealed, sloppy surface here in December.

◗ Worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:01 last Saturday at Parx.

Control Group, by Posse Last 3 Beyers: 87-99-101

◗ Had to work to win the Mr. Sinatra last week as the 4-5 favorite.

◗ He is 5 for 6 at 1 1/8 miles.

◗ Projects as the main speed in this spot.

Backsideofthemoon, by Malibu Moon Last 3 Beyers: 93-95-93

◗ Was no match for Harlan Punch in the Stymie going a one-turn mile on March 10, but did finish three lengths clear of Hit It Once More, who was coming off a stakes victory.

◗ Was a determined winner of the Jazil Stakes here on Jan. 20, the last time he raced around two turns at Aqueduct.