Zippy Gizmo and Kazushi Kimura score in the Bull Page (Michael Burns)
By Chris Lomon – Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Zippy Gizmo got up in the final strides to take top prize in the $100,000 Bull Page Stakes, a seven-furlong grass event for Ontario-sired 2-year-old colts and geldings, Sunday at Woodbine.
A son of Amis Gizmo-Avie’s Zip, Zippy Gizmo, with Kazushi Kimura aboard, got away last of six as the duo of Yacht Boy and 5-2 choice Meko Makee dueled for the early lead, with the latter eventually striking front to hold a narrow advantage through an opening split in :23.41.
Meko Makee extended his lead over Yacht Boy to a length after a half in :46.33, while Kimura and Zippy Gizmo continued to trail the field.
The pacesetting pair continued their tussle on the front coming off the turn for home but were soon greeted by Summer Commander and Brave Dancer, while Zippy Gizmo began to pick up momentum with an inside bid. It was Brave Dancer who emerged on top late, but a determined Zippy Gizmo found just enough to eke out a neck victory.
Brave Dancer finished a half-length ahead of Summer Commander for second. Bearing Down, Meko Makee and Yacht Boy rounded out the field.
The final time was 1:22.77 over a “firm” E.P. Taylor turf.
Bred (Tall Oaks Farm) and owned by Ivan Dalos, Zippy Gizmo came into his first stakes engagement off a maiden-breaking score on August 27, a 2 ½-length triumph at 6 ½ furlongs over a “good” E.P. Taylor turf.
“I’m definitely really proud of him,” said trainer Kevin Attard. “We had the opportunity to work him out on the training track turf a while back and I thought he worked phenomenal out there. When the opportunity arose to get him out on the grass, he obviously broke his maiden. I thought he looked pretty impressive doing it. He’s not a big horse, but he’s got a lot of heart and he showed a lot of grit today.”
It was the second win from four starts for the chestnut colt.
“This is so special,” said Colleen Dalos, Director of Tall Oaks Farm. “As you know, we’ve been supporting Ontario, we have five stallions here. He’s come from our flagship Victory Gallop line. Amis Gizmo is relatively new, this is his first stakes winner of his first crop and we’re starting to see some amazing Amis Gizmos. We’re excited about it and the first is always really special. Just a shout-out to my dad, who I think is the most ingenious, incredible breeder. We love you, dad.”
Zippy Gizmo paid $9.10 for the win.
