Report: Echo Zulu Back at Churchill Post Acorn Scratch
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
Echo Zulu before being scratched at the gate June 11 at Belmont Park
Winchell Thoroughbreds and L and N Racing's Echo Zulu , scratched on the advice of the track veterinarian approaching the starting gate before the June 11 Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park had an "unremarkable" post-race nuclear scan evaluation from surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage, according to a report from Daily Racing Form. She was scratched after the veterinarian perceived lameness in her left foreleg.
David Fiske, racing manager for Winchell Thoroughbreds, told the Form that Echo Zulu may have "a little strain in a suspensory left front." Last year's champion 2-year-old filly is back at Churchill Downs, where her Hall of Fame trainer, Steve Asmussen, stables his top stakes horses for much of the year.
"We'll go easy for a couple of weeks, make sure we're not compounding any problems. Dr. Bramlage didn't seem to be concerned," Fiske told the Form.
A daughter of Gun Runner , Echo Zulu was unbeaten in four starts last year, taking the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) his season finale at Del Mar Nov. 5. Away until March 26, she led throughout in the 1 1/16-mile Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), narrowly prevailing over Hidden Connection . She then pressed a fast pace in the May 6 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs before yielding to fourth over 1 1/8 miles.
Following the Kentucky Oaks, Asmussen she would be returned to one-turn races. She worked three times at Churchill Downs between the Oaks and the one-mile Acorn.