Echo Zulu Records First Breeze of Year at Fair Grounds

Two days before the Eclipse Award winners are officially announced Feb. 10, Echo Zulu , the presumptive champion 2-year-old filly of 2021, got back to business with her first breeze of the year Feb. 8 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Clockers timed the L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds-owned filly covering an easy three furlongs in :39 4/5.

"She handled wonderfully. She is moving very well," said Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. "She looks good, and this is basically a starting point. We'll see how quickly we add to it."

Last year at 2, the speedy daughter of Gun Runner   was unbeaten, scoring a debut maiden at Saratoga Race Course and adding three grade 1s. Those included the Spinaway Stakes (G1) and Frizette Stakes (G1) before she stretched out to two turns and took the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to complete her 2-year-old campaign.

"Brilliant numbers and the style, all four of them—it's hard to fathom," her trainer reflected. "But if it's in black and white, it's true.

"She's come into her break with a great attitude. Her weight is good. She looks beautiful. It's very exciting. As much as she got done, there appears to be more there physically than previously. That's how it should be from 2 to 3."

Asmussen decided to train Echo Zulu in New Orleans this winter, as he did for his prior Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) winners Summerly  (2005) and Untapable  (2014). Her upcoming race schedule, however, is "to be determined," he said, noting the early stages of her training.

The Feb. 19 $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented Fasig-Tipton (G2) comes up too quickly. Silverbulletday Stakes winner La Crete , owned by Stonestreet Stables, is Asmussen's scheduled representative there.

The $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 26 is Fair Grounds' other Kentucky Oaks prep for 3-year-old fillies. Later, Oaklawn Park stages the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 2, and Keeneland hosts the $600,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) April 8. All three races are 1 1/16 miles.

Plans are more established for Asmussen's 3-year-old males. Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter  runs in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds; MyRacehorse's Chasing Time  goes in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 26 at Oaklawn; and Blue Lion Thoroughbreds and Craig and Victoria Taylor's Morello  is a candidate the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (G3) March 5 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Asmussen said.

Echo Zulu wasn't the only grade 1-winning millionaire on the Tuesday work tab in New Orleans. Asmussen also sent out Stonestreet Stables' Clairiere  for a half-mile in :51 4/5. Winner of last year's Cotillion Stakes (G1) and Rachel Alexandra Stakes, Clairiere is, like Echo Zulu, an Eclipse Award finalist, though Malathaat  is the anticipated champion in the 3-year-old filly division of 2021.

Also representing Asmussen at the Eclipse Awards is Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior , a finalist with Aloha West  and Flightline  in a perceived competitive voting race for champion male sprinter. Jackie's Warrior arrived at Fair Grounds two weeks ago after recuperating from knee surgery performed by Dr. Larry Bramlage, Asmussen said.

"He looks like a physical monster, and he's traveling beautifully. Extremely excited about him starting back," he added.

Asmussen, who became the winningest trainer in North American history last year, is also an Eclipse finalist as outstanding trainer alongside four-time winner Chad Brown and 2020 winner Brad Cox, who is considered by many the favorite to repeat in 2021. Asmussen was honored with consecutive Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer in 2008-09.