Zoldan’s horses set for Cup

The B.J. Alan Fireworks owner has three horses
running Saturday.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — Bruce Zoldan’s philosophy on owning horses is not that complicated — find one that does well enough on the track to earn enough money to offset the cost of nine others who don’t pan out.

A member of the syndicate Team Valor, Zoldan and his wife, Rori, will be at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., this weekend for the Breeders’ Cup. Three fillies that Zoldan owns with the syndicate will be racing in the prestigious event.

The most prominent is Unbridled Belle, trained by Todd Pletcher, which will run in Saturday’s $2 million Distaff race. Unbridled Belle had 9-2 odds Wednesday and Zoldan says the horse has beaten the two favorites (Indian Vale, 3-1, and Ginger Punch, 7-2).

In Saturday’s $2 million Juvenile Fillies race, Tasha’s Miracle had odds of 10-1 Wednesday.

Zoldan’s other horse is Astor Park, which will run in the $200,000 Miss Woodford Stakes Saturday morning.

“It’s very festive, almost a ball-like atmosphere,” Zoldan said of the Breeders’ Cup. “You hope at some point to get the winner’s circle.”

The owner of the B.J. Alan Fireworks Company, Zoldan joined Team Valor about eight years ago. Last year, the syndicate’s King of the Roxy ran in the Breeders’ Cup, won a couple of races earlier this year and then ran in the Preakness Stakes at Pimilico in Baltimore in May.

“I’ve probably owned 40 over the past eight years,” said Zoldan who explained that he enjoys the beauty of the animals and the atmosphere that envelops the horse industry.

“Understanding the bloodlines is part of it, studying the lineage, seeing famous names and knowing you have young filly or colt that’s related,” Zoldan said.

While many people believe owners are heavy betters, Zoldan says he isn’t because the real money is made in breeding.

“If you can get a horse to win a big race, whether it’s a favorite or a long shot, the value increases,” Zoldan said. “We’ve had several horses through the years that seemed expensive [purchases] at the time but sold at 10 or 20 times the value.”

Barry Irwin, who runs Team Valor “never bets a race, not even $2,” Zoldan said. “I like being involved. What started as a small investment has turned into a hobby I enjoy.”

Zoldan cited Ipi Tombe, a horse from South Africa that was an investment of several thousand dollars. Ipi Tombe won a $2 million race in Dubai, then was sold for a couple of million dollars.

Zoldan said he usually has from three to eight partners for the horses he owns, depending on the price of the horse.

“The idea of the syndicate is to spread your interests to have more fun and more opportunities,” said Zoldan who has a stake in 16 horses.

williams@vindy.com