Zoldan’s run for roses

By John Kovach

The Youngstown businessman hopes his Visionaire sees a strong Derby Day

The turf hopes of Youngstown will be riding with Visionaire today when the 3-year-old colt takes off under jockey Jose Lezcano in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

That’s because Visionaire, trained by Michael R. Matz — the trainer of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro — is part-owned by area businessman-sportsman Bruce Zoldan, the chief operating officer of Phantom Fireworks of Youngstown.

“I’m part of a group called Team Valor [International of Lexington, Ky.]. We own many horses. Each horse has a different partnership,” said Zoldan, who has interests in 15 horses.

Zoldan is enjoying his first Kentucky Derby entry in Visionaire, who will start from the No. 8 post — the same slot Barbaro embarked from when he won the 2006 run for the roses. That’s because Matz won the draw for first pick.

“I am in a syndicate of four or five different people, including a movie producer,” said Zoldan, who is popular within Team Valor. He was named Team Valor’s first Racing Partner of the week, and is considered “Mr. Kentucky Derby” around the Team Valor offices in Louisville.

Team Valor International’s president is Barry Irwin of Lexington, Ky., and Zoldan said Irwin “finds different owners around the country. His advice is to be a minority owner in a number of horses to spread the risk among all the horses, and right now I own probably 15 thoroughbreds, one of them named after Phantom Fireworks.”

Zoldan said Visionaire, who has a race record of 6-3-1-1 and has earned more than $200,000, is considered to be a “legitimate longshot” to win today’s race, and should go off at odds of between 15-1 and 20-1.

“By being a legitimate longshot, [handicappers] mean that there is a realistic chance that he can win the race,” Zoldan said. “If he has the speed at the start and gets out there and even in the middle of the pack, he may be able to close strong.”

Zoldan points to Visionaire’s comeback and winning performance by a nose in the Gotham Stakes on March 6 at Aqueduct that could make him a Kentucky Derby contender.

“In the Gotham, he was [running ninth and last] and finished first. He overcame [eight] horses,” said Zoldan, who believes that it’s possible Visionaire can do the same thing today against 19 competitors.

In addition, Visionaire had a strong finish at the Toyota Blue Grass stakes on April 12 in preparation for the Kentucky Derby, when he gained on the field in the late stages and placed fifth.

Visionaire has won three races since November, with a third-place finish to other Kentucky Derby starters Pyro and Z Fortune on Feb. 9 in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.

But he was a disappointing fifth in the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland run over Polytrack.

Zoldan said Visionaire continues to mature.

“These colts are still maturing a 3-years-old, and every month that goes by they mature,” Zoldan said. “Matz feels that Visionaire is maturing favorably.”

But Zoldan is realistic.

“He’s definitely considered one of the longer shots. He’s going to be 15-1 or 20-1 but we feel he will be in the top 10 in the odds, maybe sixth to 10th,” Zoldan said. “The horse favored is Big Brown who starts in the 20th post. If he wins, he has to be a special horse.”

Zoldan also is encouraged by Visionaire’s demeanor, which Matz also underscores, noting that “Visionaire has a low-key character and personality and that nothing disturbs him. And he is not a stressful horse and is very cooperative.”

The bottom line, as Zoldan sees it: “It takes talent, pedigree and luck to get into the Kentucky Derby, and luck to win it.”

kovach@vindy.com