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“You Take the Chances and Don’t Worry About Your Win Percentage”
In this episode of “Race Horses, etc.” Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito regales us with stories of training race horses in the glory-days of New York, and credits a trio of African-American grooms for teaching him the basics.
Nick Zito is New York born and raised and the quintessential horse trainer. At the age of 72, he has been training race horses for most of his life. And Nick has never been afraid to take chances when it comes to entering horses. And his daring has paid off in spades. In 2004 Birdstone paid $74 to win the Belmont Stakes, and in 2008 Da’Tara’s Belmont win paid $79!
The Zito Resume:
- Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2005
- 2 Kentucky Derby wins (Strike the Gold – 1991, Go For Gin – 1994)
- 1 Preakness win (Louis Quatorze – 1996)
- 2 Belmont Stakes wins (Birdstone – 1994, Da’Tara – 1998)
- 70 starters in Triple Crown Races
- 2 Breeders’ Cup victories (Storm Song – 1996, War Pass – 2007)
- Won the Gr. 1 Whitney Stakes in 2005 and 2008 with New York-bred Commentator
- Earnings (by Zito trained horses) over $111 million
- Selected 18 Grade 1 winners at auction with average purchase price of $178k
Great interview.Every interview has been outstanding.
Thank you Ron!
~ Carolyn
Hi Carolyn,
I am enjoying the podcast’s! As a horseplayer who has never been hands on with horses, I have been concerned with the issues around our sport. Beginning this year I decided to put my money where my mouth is and play the tracks that have a Tapeta surface. First it was Golden Gate, and now Woodbine, I knew the drawbacks included short fields and low priced winners. However, as far as I can see the Tapeta is safer,so since the beginning of the year over 90% of my handle is bet on Tapeta. And to my surprise, it took a while but I am enjoying it, the racing has been competitive, and I have had a good amount of double digit winners! I was thinking it might be a question for some of your guest on the podcast, how they feel about Tapeta, is there a difference in training horses on Tapeta… I am a traditionalist by nature, but for the sport to grow, Tapeta sounds like a solution that would enable the industry to promote itself in a positive way, as well as providing a safer surface for the horses.
Thanks for your comments John. I like that you have taken an approach to playing the horses that agrees with who you are and what you believe in! I agree with you that the Tapeta question is a good one to pose to horsemen. I will include it at some point.
Cheers,
~ Carolyn
I agree, this was another fabulous interview. I look forward to listening each week.
Thanks Jen!