Zany wins Demoiselle for fun

Dec 06, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Zany wins the Demoiselle at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Odds-on favorite Zany might have turned Saturday’s $250,000 Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct into a laugher, but she announced herself as a serious candidate for the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The daughter of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah was extending Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s all-time Demoiselle record to 10 wins. Zany is the fifth of those winners campaigned by Repole Stable, including champion Nest (2021) (who was owned in partnership).

In her only previous start, Zany romped by 6 1/2 lengths in a sprint maiden at Gulfstream Park. The robust chestnut was stretching out to 1 1/8 miles here, but she proved a class apart from her five rivals.

Ridden for the first time by Irad Ortiz Jr., Zany closely stalked pacesetter Shilling through fractions of :24.05, :48.16, and 1:12.46. The 3-4 favorite was ready to roll turning for home, and she put the race away at the top of the stretch.

Zany drew off by 8 1/2 lengths and posted a final time of 1:50.55. Her triumphant stakes debut netted her 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

Jumping the Gun earned five Oaks points by edging Concurrently for second. Concurrently, by American Pharoah like Zany, was just a neck away in third (three points). Shilling tired to fourth (two points), followed by Zany’s stablemate Believable in fifth (one point). Ivy Girl brought up the rear.

Zany dominates and gives trainer Todd Pletcher his 10th win in the G2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct! 💪🏆@iradortiz was aboard the 2YO filly wearing the @repolestable silks. pic.twitter.com/buOfJZQ8Vl

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) December 6, 2025

Now 2-for-2, Zany paid $3.50 while boosting her earnings to $161,500.

“She did it the right way, every step of the way,” Ortiz said. “She broke good and put me in a beautiful spot. I let her do what she wanted to do, and she just held her ground and stayed steady until I asked her to go. Honestly, she was doing it pretty easy. She made the lead and was looking around a little bit, but it was impressive the way she did it today.”

Pletcher was pleased with how Zany responded to the jump up in distance.

“It went like we hoped it would,” the horseman said. “She trained very impressively, but you are always concerned making one start at 6 1/2 (furlongs) and stretching out to a mile and an eighth in only her second start. I thought her last breeze before we decided to ship her was pretty impressive, so it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Pletcher’s Demoiselle honor roll includes Hall of Famer Ashado (2003) and champion Malathaat (2020), both of whom would go on to win the Kentucky Oaks as well as the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

When asked about Zany’s long-term potential, Pletcher was hopeful.

“Man, I hope so. Malathaat, Nest, some of those that were able to go on and have great careers afterwards. It’s been a race for us that has not only been lucky on the day, but it’s produced some horses have gone on and done very well.”

Zany will return to her winter base at Palm Beach Downs as connections plot her path to the Oaks at Churchill Downs on the first Friday in May.

Bred by D.J. Stable in Kentucky, Zany was purchased for $350,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga. Her mother, Mo’ Green, achieved her career high in the 2017 Top Flight (G3), held over the same track and distance as the Demoiselle.