by Kim French, USTA Internet News Editor

Kim French

Columbus, OH — Although he did not collect a Breeders Crown trophy like his stablemate Beckhams Z Tam, Uncmprmising Z Tam is an Indiana Sire Stakes champion and a show-stopper in his own right by virtue of his physical appearance, as well as the consistency his $320,978 bankroll from 62 trips to the post displays.

“It doesn’t matter who is jogging him,” said conditioner Jamie Macomber. “Anytime I see him on the track he turns my head because of how powerful he looks.”

Owned by Z Tam Stables, who also possesses his more lauded barn fellow, Uncmprmising Z Tam demonstrated just how much ability lays within the confines of his stout frame with a dominating performance on Sunday (Dec. 10) at Pompano Park in the evening’s featured $11,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Skip Smith photo

Uncmprmising Z Tam scored a handy 1:51.3 win in Pompano Park’s Open Pace on Dec. 10.

Steered by his trainer’s husband, Ricky Macomber Jr., it was the sixth victory of the season and 13th lifetime for the son of Shadyshark Hanover-Cosmic Grace. The 4-year-old gelding was initially put through his paces by Wilbur Eash prior to arriving in the Macombers’ care 12 months ago.

“Wilbur is just down to breaking babies now and bringing some horses back,” Macomber said. “He’s beginning to transition to his retirement and we should have all of his horses next year.”

It appears Uncmprmising Z Tam’s arrival in the Sunshine State may have provided a boost to his attitude, health and performance level. His triumph this week also earned him a brief sojourn before he returns to work.

“He raced hard in Indiana every week,” Macomber said. “He encountered a little soreness but not anything we couldn’t handle or that was not normal for a horse like him. We were a little disappointed in his last several starts at Hoosier (two thirds and a sixth in Open/Invitational company) but bringing him down here definitely seems to have helped him; maybe it’s the shorter stretch.

“Ricky said at the half he knew he was going to win unless something strange happened. So now he gets to go out in the field for four to six weeks.”

Uncmprmising Z Tam is one of the 17 head the Macombers currently are in charge of and he will have the opportunity to illustrate his prowess once again at Pompano Park prior to returning to his home base at Hoosier Park.

Beckhams Z Tam, the reigning 3-year-old Breeders Crown pacing male champion, will join him.

“We have two or three more on their way this week and should have another six (horses),” said Macomber, who captured her first Breeders Crown victory in her first attempt. “My husband might want to buy some though as I prefer to train and he is a driver, so that is what he wants to do.”

Despite the Macombers’ hectic schedule, Jamie, a long-time assistant for Ron Burke in her first year with her own stable, acknowledges the Breeders Crown victory is still an event she, Ricky and William Matz of Z Tam Stables cherish.

“Everyone in Indiana has been so great with not only supporting us but expressing how wonderful the Breeders Crown was,” said Macomber, whose pupils have amassed $2 million from 687 starts in 2017. “Also our owner is still so excited. He lives in New York and Z Tam is Matz spelled backwards. He owns a number of horses that race in Indiana and can’t wait for the upcoming season.

“Whenever you get a quiet moment you can’t help but think about the Breeders Crown and what it means. Beckham will be staked this year and he has been perfect; just like Uncmprmising Z Tam; I always see something in every horse because it is always there.

“Uncmprmising Z Tam is just so solid and has a great personality. Beckham is the same way and was easy to train because of how his conditions came up. Anyone could go up and pet him and he would just love it, but when we come near him he’s all business. He even sleeps all morning and I have videos of putting a sweatshirt on him with him just trying to get it off; he’s been a pleasure. He has also been a pleasure for Ricky to drive and all you need to do is watch them to see what this horse means to him and how much we are enjoying our work.”