Future Star Watch: Jojo Warrior
Lost in all the hoopla of the Arkansas Derby, and the Will Take Charge led Oaklawn Handicap card, is the return of one of the most impressive juvenile filly debut winners of 2013. Jojo Warrior, an easy winner of her debut last September at Del Mar, has been on the shelf ever since. I, like many, have been expecting big things from her after watching that impressive debut in which she steamrolled a good field of California fillies.
Seven months removed, her racing career is finally ready to commence again, when she headlines the field in tomorrow’s Instant Racing Stakes at Oaklawn Park. I had the opportunity to discuss the talented young filly with Justin Zayat, the Racing and Stallion Manager for one of the top stables in the nation, Zayat Stables, and this is what he told me about their homebred, Jojo Warrior...
ZATT - Jojo Warrior is a Zayat Stables homebred, how was the mating between Pioneerof the Nile and Carson Jen decided upon?
JZ - Very easy! The dam has been exciting dam to own. She threw nothing but stake horses for us. EZ Warrior, JZ Warrior, AZ Warrior. Pioneerof the Nile is our pride and joy. He was our first homebred ever who became a G1 winner at 2 and 3 so it was a natural fit. Carson Jen was one of first broodmares we’ve owned.
ZATT - She debuted in the beginning of September, what were you expecting from her that day?
JZ - We always knew she was talented. Growing up she was always the favorite on the farm. We always had high expectations for her. Our only concern was the Del Mar surface; its hard to win first out on it. But she ran very nicely.
ZATT - How impressed were you with her performance?
JZ - I think the race looks better than the Beyer shows. I was pretty impressed knowing she wasn't fully cranked up to win. But the good ones always finds a way to win.
ZATT - Why has she be away from the races for so long after that big debut?
JZ - When we were at the Keeneland September sale, Bob Baffert came to us and told us that Jojo Warrior was not traveling well out of her race. We looked her over there was nothing on the X-rays so we just decided to turn her out for 60 days, because we knew she was a talented filly and being by Pioneerof the Nile we knew that she will get better by age.
ZATT - How did you decide on the Instant Racing as her return race?
JZ - Bob was looking around for a spot for her. We weren't finding ones available in California. She is training forward and is a very very fast filly. Oou only issue is she is still a little green, but she will get better and learn with racing. This was a good spot to start her back.
ZATT - She has been working well, what are you expecting to see from her on Saturday?
JZ - I’m expecting her to run well. She has been training really well. Only issue, as I said, is that she is a little green and shipping into Oaklawn isn't the easiest track to ship into. But if you are asking me if I’m expecting her to win ... Yes! I am very excited.
ZATT - If all goes well on Saturday, what are her future goals?
JZ - There are plenty of nice graded stakes for three year old fillies throughout the year, like the Black-Eyed Susan, Acorn and the Test. We will see how she does, and take it one step at a time!