Zulu, Awesome Speed Remain on Schedule

Zulu, an undefeated 3-year-old Bernardini   colt, breezed four furlongs at Palm Beach Downs Feb. 21 in preparation for his stakes debut in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (gr. II) Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Zulu, who has won his two starts by a combined 9 1/2 lengths, was clocked in :48 1/5 with John Velazquez aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher.

"It went very well," Pletcher said. "He got into a nice comfortable rhythm and clicked off (:12 per furlong) all the way around. He looked good and galloped out well. I'm very happy with it. All is on schedule."

Owned by Stonestreet Stables, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith, Zulu debuted at Gulfstream Dec. 5 with a two-length maiden victory. He returned Jan. 15 to capture a seven-furlong optional claiming/allowance race by 7 1/2 lengths.

"We certainly could have opted for an easier spot and shipped out of town somewhere," Pletcher said. "We just felt like he's two-for-two at Gulfstream. It's nice to keep him on a consistent path where he's familiar with where he's running. We know he likes the surface, but it's obviously a tall order."

Zulu is set to face undefeated Mohaymen, who won the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream last time out, and undefeated Awesome Banner, who is coming off back-to-back victories in the Hutcheson (gr. III) and Swale (gr. II) stakes.

Meanwhile, Colts Neck Stables' Awesome Speed, a winner of three straight including the Jan. 2 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream, worked a half-mile in :48 1/4 at Palm Meadows Training Center. He's also being pointed to the Fountain of Youth.

Trained by Alan Goldberg, the 3-year-old Awesome Again   colt registered his fourth breeze for since his win in the one-mile Mucho Macho Man.

"He went great," Goldberg said. "He came back fine and not blowing. Everything is all good. We're ready."

After a seventh-place finish in his career debut last August at Parx Racing, Awesome Speed broke his maiden at Laurel Park last fall and then captured the six-furlong James F. Lewis III Stakes in November at Laurel. The Fountain of Youth would mark his first start around two turns.

"He's coming into the race great," Goldberg said. "We've got six more days. Everything's all good. Hopefully there won't be any hiccups."