By Steve Sherack
Flood Zone (c, 3, Frosted–Curls for Girls, by Curlin) is heading straight into the deep end.
Purchased privately by Wathnan Racing and transferred to Brad Cox following a flashy maiden win versus Florida-breds going 6 1/2 furlongs at second asking at Gulfstream Park Jan. 4, the bay will stretch to a one-turn mile for Saturday's GIII Gotham Stakes at the Big A.
The Gotham, co-headlined by unbeaten New York-breds 'TDN Rising Star' Sand Devil (Violence) and Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief), offers 105 points (50-25-15-10-5) on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
Flood Zone has posted three workouts at Cox's Payson Park base since changing hands, including a five-furlong breeze in 1:02 2/5 (2/5) Feb. 21. He is listed at a generous 12-1 on David Aragona's morning line.
“Purchased him privately and he's been with Brad for a little while now and he's been working well,” said Case Clay, Wathnan's Racing Manager, USA. “Fingers crossed for the Gotham.”
Flood Zone, with @LuguJr, wins race 8, two victories today for trainer @VictorEBarboza. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/3YkoaK4DDh
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 4, 2025
After briefly looking defeated as they straightened, Flood Zone battled back gamely in the stretch to put away the favorite and powered home impressively from there to graduate by 5 1/4 lengths, good for an 85 Beyer Speed Figure. He was previously a close second following a wide trip on debut Dec. 7.
Flood Zone's winning dam is a half-sister to GSW Sue's Good (Woodman), dam of GI Ogden Phipps H. heroine Tiz Miz Sue (Tiznow) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Bulletin (City Zip); and MSW & MGSP Easyfromthegitgo (Dehere).
The $45,000 OBS June graduate (:21 3/5) was previously campaigned in partnership by Big Frank Stable, Enrico Ascione, Guy Mancini and Veb Racing Stable Corp, and trained by Victor Barboza, Jr.
“He's out of a Curlin mare, time will tell, but he looks like he'll stretch out,” Clay said. “The Gotham was the next logical step going a mile.”
Clay added, “We're always looking for prospects, and, in America, Wathnan Racing is focusing on dirt racing.”
Launched in October 2022, Wathnan Racing is the nom-de-course of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Wathnan Racing will also be well-represented by Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Handicap and Immensitude (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) in the GIII The Very One S. on the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth undercard at Gulfstream.
Hit Show has won a trio of graded stakes for Wathnan Racing and Cox since a private purchase last summer and heads to the Big 'Cap following a win in the GIII Louisiana S. at Fair Grounds Jan. 18. Immensitude, a close second in the GIII Waya S. and third in the GIII Long Island S. last fall, kicks off her 5-year-old campaign for Bill Mott.
Case Clay | Keeneland
“Big weekend, all tough races,” Clay said. “Our main focus in America is to try do well on dirt, and two turns, especially.”
The sidelined Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify) has certainly done just that for the Al Thani family's global operation, led by a heart-stopping win in the inaugural GI California Crown S. at Santa Anita last September.
Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (2023 G1 Gold Cup) and Kind of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) (2024 G1 British Champions Sprint) have both carried Wathnan's colors to Group 1 victories at Ascot, respectively.
“That was a great win for Wathnan Racing in the California Crown,” Clay said. “He came up with an ankle before the Breeders' Cup and he still needs some more time. Try and get him healed up, but it could take a while. Maybe in the fall we'll get him geared up again. He's a bit older, but the focus is to race him if we can.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
