A day after telling an upstate New York newspaper that Zippy Chippy, the horse who loves to lose, has been retired, owner-trainer Felix Monserrate has apparently had a change of heart. Monserrate said Monday he is not sure what he will do with the 13-year-old gelding who is winless in 100 career starts, adding that there is a 40 percent chance he will run again in 2005.

He is 13, but maybe I will run him again next year, that is if he stays healthy," Monserrate said. "I do not want him to get hurt, but right now he is really healthy."

Monserrate added that he has been contacted by individuals interested in making a movie about the horse. He told the Rochester Democrat and American that one reason he was interested in retiring Zippy Chippy was that the movie producer was worried that an injury would spoil the ending to the script.

As far as what Zippy Chippy will do when he is retired, Monserrate said he would either try to make him a stable pony or give him to his daughter, who wants to turn him into a riding horse.

"I don't know how that will work because he's a little nasty," Monserrate said. "But she is a pretty good rider."

Zippy Chippy's form has never been worse. After finishing second in his final start of 2003, he made two starts this year, finishing seventh and then eighth at the Northampton Fair in Massachusetts. He was beaten a combined 42 3/4 lengths. He has been banned from running at his home base, Finger Lakes Racetrack. The Northampton Fair is among the few tracks still willing to let him compete.