Viva La Zoom Leads Derby Qualifiers, finishes a strong second in the finals

 

Champion jockey G.R. Carter, aboard Viva La Zoom, and Debbie Freeman, on Streakin Six Cartel, fought all the way to the wire before Viva La Zoom got the nod to win the first derby trial and set the top qualifying time to the Speedhorse Gold & Silver Derby.

 

Viva La Zoom was scoring his first win in six starts this season for owner Safari Racing. Trained by Heath Taylor, the son of Shazoom stopped the clock at 17.388 seconds to earn a 101 speed index for the effort. Last season he won one of six starts and has career earning in excess of $15,000.

 

Grade 1 winner Streakin Six Cartel pushed his 2009 record to 2-1-0 from four starts with the second place effort. He also recorded a 101 speed index for the second best clocking of :17.400.

 

Smokin Past You, an Okey Dokey Dale homebred for David Clonts also qualified from that race with the third best time of :17.462.  Vertical Vision by Visionarian and grade 1 winner Spit Curl Diva won the second and third trials to post the fourth and fifth best times.

 

In the finals, Viva La Zoom put forth a solid effort to finish second. Racing solid on the end he ran down the leader to come within a head at the wire. He posted a speed index of 103 and earned $17,102.

 

Photo: Gene Wilson & Associates