Friday, May 20, 2011
By Tom Williams
Team Valor International will not run Summer Soiree in today’s Black-Eyed Susan race for fillies at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.
On Thursday, Youngstown businessman Bruce Zoldan said from Baltimore that Team Valor’s CEO Barry Irwin doesn’t need any added distractions 24 hours before the syndicate’s Animal Kingdom tries to capture the second jewel in racing’s Triple Crown.
Saturday, Zoldan will be among the Team Valor partners watching to see if Animal Kingdom can win the 14-horse Preakness Stakes and keep alive the dream of the first Triple Crown champion in 33 years.
On May 7, Animal Kingdom was a 20-1 longshot who rallied down the homestretch to win the Kentucky Derby by almost three lengths.
In Saturday’s Preakness at Pimlico, Animal Kingdom has been established as the 2-1 favorite.
Zoldan, who has been one of Team Valor’s long-term senior partners, said the atmosphere has changed.
“There’s a vast difference,” said Zoldan, the owner of B.J. Alan Fireworks. “I grew up always wanting to be the underdog, as a Cleveland [sports] fan, I prefer it. I’ve always feel somewhat unlucky being the favorite.
“So being the favorite feels very, very different. And in some ways, it feels great.”
Zoldan said Irwin has been “overwhelmed” with phone calls and media attention. That’s why Summer Soiree, which led most of the way in the Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs, is not at Pimlico.
Instead, the attention is on Animal Kingdom, which will start from the No. 11 post position.
Just like the Kentucky Derby when there were three horses to the right of Animal Kingdom in the 16 position, Zoldan likes the omen that there will be three horses again on the right on Saturday.
At Wednesday’s position draw, Zoldan was sitting with trainer Graham Motion when Animal Kingdom drew the outside number. Drawing 13th, their other possibility was the number one spot.
Because of the danger of getting stuck behind a crowded track, Zoldan said Motion prefers that Animal Kingdom will have a clear path to start.
“There will be a lot of speed in this race,” Zoldan said. “We feel it will help us rather than hurt us.
“But anything can happen, I’m realistic that the Kentucky Derby [win] was a once in a lifetime dream,” said Zoldan who has been a Team Valor partner for 15 years. ”Winning the second leg of the Triple Crown would [put] double icing on the cake.”