New York-bred millionaire Zivo to lead post parade for Rick Violette Stakes

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Zivo and Cherie DeVaux in the winner’s circle following his victory in the G2 Suburban. Susie Raisher photo.

NYRA Press Release

Retired New York-bred graded stakes millionaire Zivo will lead the post parade for Wednesday’s Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. The event is one of many activities set for the inaugural New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Wednesday, July 21 at the Spa.

Presented by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, (NYRA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day will highlight the work of a variety of organizations committed to aftercare initiatives.

The 12-year-old son of True Direction, who accumulated $1,017,300 in earnings with nine victories from 19 starts for owner and breeder Thomas Coleman and conditioner Chad Brown, initially retired to stud in 2016 at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater, New York before being pensioned.

Currently, he is the stable pony for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who initially worked with Zivo when she was as an assistant for Brown. Since first meeting their bond has been inseparable.

“Zivo has always been special to me. I think he came into the barn during my second winter working with Chad [Brown],” said DeVaux. “He was always one of my favorites. From the start it was a love affair. Just to see him being able to develop from a young colt to an accomplished runner was something special. The highlight winning the Grade 2 Suburban at Belmont [2014] to competing in the Breeders’ Cup [eighth-place finish in 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic]. He not only gained my heart but the affection of many New Yorkers.”

Although Zivo made the majority of his starts between Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack with 13 starts, he also ran five times at Saratoga, highlighted by an allowance victory and second-place finish in the Albany stakes in 2012. DeVaux is happy racing fans will once again have the chance to see him on track on a day in celebration of one the many careers retired racehorses can go on to successfully do.

“He is a really personable horse,” said DeVaux. “When I found out he was being pensioned there was no other option as to where he was going. It was just a matter of what capacity with me and my family. I’m really excited the fans will get to see him once again. It’s really neat when you get to see a retired racehorse, and one as accomplished as him back on the track after a couple of seasons of breeding in a whole another role. Watching him at the barn and performing his new duties day to day, you would never know he was any of that. He’s taken onto his new career in a great way and he’s another great example of how we care for our horses and their capabilities in being able to  perform one of many duties once leaving the track.”

The Rick Violette Stakes, named in honor of the late NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program, and was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) is carded as Race 4 on Wednesday with a post time of 2:49 p.m. ET.

Additional off-track Thoroughbreds will be showcased on the main track from 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., performing demonstrations of a variety of disciplines. Learn more about New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day here[2] and a special appearance by fellow New York-bred standout Uncle Sigh here[3].

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/zivo-the-suburban-credit-susie-raisher.jpg
  2. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/07/nyra-nytha-and-nytb-announce-the-creation-of-new-york-thoroughbred-aftercare-day-at-saratoga/
  3. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/18/meet-and-greet-with-2014-kentucky-derby-contender-uncle-sigh-on-new-york-thoroughbred-aftercare-day/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/18/new-york-bred-millionaire-zivo-to-lead-post-parade-for-rick-violette-stakes/

Meet and Greet with 2014 Kentucky Derby Contender Uncle Sigh on New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day

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Uncle Sigh breezes at Belmont Park on April 25, 2014 ahead of his tilt at the Kentucky Derby. Susie Raisher photo.

NYRA Press Release

New York-bred stalwart Uncle Sigh, a contender in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, will be at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 21, as part of the inaugural New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day.

The 10-year-old is a fitting ambassador for New York’s aftercare efforts, as his 14th-place finish at Churchill Downs was the only one of 42 starts made outside the state. Uncle Sigh was runner-up in both the Withers and Gotham Stakes and fifth in the Wood Memorial en route to the Derby, and ended a successful racetrack career with seven wins and $648,686 in earnings.

He retired through New York’s TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement Program to ReRun in upstate New York in January of 2020, and quickly adapted to his new routine.

“He acted like he had lived here his entire life,” said ReRun Executive Director Lisa Molloy. “He never missed a beat – he usually takes most things in his stride.”

Uncle Sigh’s life is decidedly more relaxed now.

“He resides at our East Greenbush facility and we use him as a lead horse for the youngsters, especially out on trails,” Molloy said. “I take him to the occasional horse show, and we utilize his kind and generous nature by having him interact and work with veterans suffering from PTSD via the Saratoga Warhorse program.”

Retired racehorses can go on to any number of second careers, and Uncle Sigh has shown a knack for several occupations.

“Apart from being an exceptional breed ambassador, trail packer and show hunter, he really has found a niche in equine assisted therapy,” Molloy said, adding, “He really does demonstrate the versatility of Thoroughbreds.”

Fans can meet with Uncle Sigh at Saratoga and take selfies from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Horse Sense, an exhibit area behind the Grandstand near Gate A. Additional off-track Thoroughbreds will be showcased on the main track from 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., performing demonstrations of a variety of disciplines. Learn more about New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day here[2] and a special appearance by fellow New York-bred standout Zivo here[3].

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Uncle-Sigh-April-25-6.jpg
  2. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/07/nyra-nytha-and-nytb-announce-the-creation-of-new-york-thoroughbred-aftercare-day-at-saratoga/
  3. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/18/new-york-bred-millionaire-zivo-to-lead-post-parade-for-rick-violette-stakes/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/18/meet-and-greet-with-2014-kentucky-derby-contender-uncle-sigh-on-new-york-thoroughbred-aftercare-day/

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