Zaajel Draws Off in Debut at Gulfstream

The parade of impressive Todd Pletcher-trained maiden special weight winners into Gulfstream Park's winner's circle continued Dec. 20 following a sharp debut score by Shadwell Stable's Zaajel.

The Kentucky homebred daughter of Street Sense  ($8.20) drew off to a 7 1/4-length victory in Race 7, a seven-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.

"She'd been training forwardly. She was a half-step slow from the gate the other morning—she tossed her head a little at the break. We stood her a few times and she was good, so we went ahead and ran her today, thinking she was ready to go," Pletcher said. "Seven furlongs is a good starting point for her."

Zaajel stalked the early pace set by Mail Order, a debuting daughter of Liam's Map  for trainer Bill Mott, before making a move on the turn to take the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing away to a comfortable win under Luis Saez.

"We'll play it by ear. She's clearly a filly that wants more distance. That's always exciting when you have one break their maiden at a shorter distance," Pletcher said.

Zaajel ran seven furlongs in 1:23.81 to prevail over Pletcher-trained Unbridled d'Oro, the 2-1 favorite who closed from 10th to finish second under Irad Ortiz Jr.

The fourth foal and winner out of the black-type placed Daaher  mare Asiya, Zaajel is a half sister to multiple graded stakes-placed Ajaaweed. Asiya also has a yearling Mohaymen  colt and was reported bred this year to Blame .

Pletcher also won Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack with Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith's Overtook. The 2-year-old Curlin  colt, making his third outing, won Race 4, a one-mile maiden special weight on the dirt.

With Eric Cancel aboard, Overtook ($13.80) raced in eighth, fanned out six wide from upper to midlane, then kicked into gear to win by two lengths. The final time over the fast track was 1:40.25.

Overtook was bred in Kentucky by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Philip Steinberg. He is the first starter out of Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) winner Got Lucky, an A.P. Indy daughter, and has a yearling full sister. Got Lucky foaled an Arrogate colt this year and was reported bred to Ghostzapper .

Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, and M.V. Magnier purchased Overtook for $1 million from the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.