By Ryan Hubbard

Big Z Wisdom showed she had all the knowledge to win the $40,000 Genesis Series Final Saturday, June 23. Holding off a late charging ABC Bay Bee in deep stretch, Big Z Wisdom and driver Joe Essig Jr. claimed the series in a time of 1:58 over a sloppy track. Unraced at two, the victory was the sixth win of her career in eight starts this season.

Big Z Wisdom fled from the gate in post position two. However, she was sent back to the fifth spot as the field of nine rounded the clubhouse turn. Second choice Ideal Queen and driver Don Irvine Jr. led three-parts of the way, passing through quarters of :28.3., :59.2, and 1:29.3, respectively.

Hoosier Park photo

Holding off a late charging ABC Bay Bee in deep stretch, Big Z Wisdom and driver Joe Essig Jr. claimed the Genesis Series Final in a time of 1:58.

“She (Big Z Wisdom) usually gets away around the middle of the pack,” said Essig Jr. “Last week was the exception, because she got away in second. The pressure was there and there was a little fear coming down the stretch.”

Deciding to go two-wide around the far turn, Big Z Wisdom and Essig Jr. came first up before reaching the top of the stretch in second. The move allowed them to sweep right on by Ideal Queen in the lane for the lead.

In deep stretch, ABC Bay Bee and driver Joe Putnam, who were in the top three for most of the race, made a late move. The game effort allowed them to battle for the wire and possibly produce an upset, but Big Z Wisdom showed class, prevailing by a half-length. ABC Bay Bee held on for second. Hannah Coe and driver Mark O’Mara rallied for third.

Big Z Wisdom paid $3.00, $2.40, and $3.00 as the heavy post-time favorite. With the winner’s share of $20,000, the 3-year-old boosts her bankroll to over $47,000 for the Big Z Stables of Montague, NJ. Brooke Nickells trains the daughter of Big Z Crown.

“She (Big Z Wisdom) has a lot of heart and she put it all out there on the track tonight,” said Nickells. “The last time she raced in the slop, she made a little break, which we were concerned with what would happen in this race. We will be trying to get her ready for the Indiana Sires Stakes final next week.”

Big Z Wisdom’s next stop during her stakes filled season will be the $85,000-est. Indiana Sires Stakes final Hoosier Cup Night Saturday, June 30.