Zulu Alpha Runs Down Competition in Elkhorn

The July 12 close of the Keeneland summer meet saw one of the most impressive and long-lasting talents still running leave his competition in the dust when he negotiated his 12th career victory in the $175,000 TVG Elkhorn Stakes (G2T). 

For the third time in 2020, Michael Hui's 7-year-old gelding Zulu Alpha entered the winner's circle, making a tremendous trip from the back of the field to cross the wire three-quarters of a length in front. 

Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione in the 1 1/2-mile test, Zulu Alpha started from post 4 but was bumped by horses and pushed back into ninth. The son of Street Cry was far off the pace through the first half-mile as Postulation, ridden confidently by jockey Julien Leparoux, led the field. 

Postulation set a moderate pace along the inside and led through fractions of :25.56, :52.02, and 1:18.14 through six furlongs. He was chased throughout by Ry's the Guy, who challenged for the lead to the outside under Chris Landeros. Saving ground along the backside, Zulu Alpha slowly moved up the ranks from ninth to seventh to fifth by the time the field entered the turn for home. 

It was still Postulation in front as the field reached the top of the stretch. After extending his lead to a length at the start of the final turn, he soon found himself under pressure from Zulu Alpha, who went four, then five wide to sweep toward the front and take a head lead at the top of the stretch. 

Switching leads at the furlong pole, Zulu Alpha buckled down but drifted in during the final strides, causing the leaders to make brief contact with one another. The gelding switched leads once more with only the final sixteenth left to run and managed to hold on to his lead to win in 2:30.82. 

Postulation rallied through the lane but was worn down and finished second.

"We're quite proud of him the way he ran. He's been off for almost seven months," said Postulation's trainer, Michael Matz. "He's no spring chicken, so we were really pleased the way he ran today. It was a shame he couldn't last (on the lead) a little longer, but that's what happens. Sometimes you get beat. But we were really proud of him. He tried hard and didn't give up the whole way. We were pleased with his effort. He's been a good horse for us. He always tries, and he does what he can do. That's all you can ask of a horse."

Nakamura, who also made a late run from near the back of the pack, moved up to take third, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Jais's Solitude in fourth. 

"He's as easy as they come. He just drops his head and you let him do his thing," Gaffalione said. "He knows where the wire is. He's got some turn of foot. He just keeps getting better and better throughout the year. All credit goes to (trainer) Mike (Maker) and his team. I'm just blessed to be part of it."

Zulu Alpha entered the Elkhorn off his only misstep this season—a second in the March 28 Kitten's Joy Pan American Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park. He opened the year with back-to-back wins in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) and the Feb. 29 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream. 

"After Gulfstream, we sent him to the farm again," Maker said. "We got delayed with the virus. Going a mile and a half, you're always a little bit concerned. But even I can't mess this one up."

Bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm, Zulu Alpha is out of the A.P. Indy mare Zori. He was claimed by Hui for $80,000 from an allowance optional claiming event at Churchill Downs in 2018. Zulu Alpha owns a 12-5-5 record from 34 starts with earnings of $2,165,114. 

Video: TVG Elkhorn S. (G2T)

Summer Meet Concludes With More Than $63 Million in Handle

Sunday's card marked the end of the historic five-day summer meet at Keeneland with all-sources wagering of $63,299,331. Average daily all-sources handle was $12,659,866. 

Wagering was boosted by a single-day all-sources handle for the 10-race card on Toyota Blue Grass Day of $23,834,972, second only to the record $25,809,200 set for last year's 11-race Toyota Blue Grass Day card. Saturday's All-Stakes Pick Five handled $1,395,051, well above the former record of $1,079,197 set on Toyota Blue Grass Day last year. 

On-track handle, which includes wagering conducted at Keeneland and The Red Mile, totaled $674,310 for an average daily on-track handle of $134,862. 

"Horsemen and fans alike highly anticipated the summer meet, and their expectations were exceeded by the breathtaking level of racing we enjoyed here this week," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. "I can't express how much we missed our fans at Keeneland, and we thank them for their strong support from afar.

"This pandemic created a number of operational and logistical challenges for us to make this season a reality. I am so proud of the collaboration between state and local health officials, our horsemen, our corporate partners, and our Keeneland team, all of whom worked tirelessly to create a safe environment on track and deliver such incredible racing."