10th-GP, $44K, Opt. Clm. ($75K), 3yo, 7f, 5:05 p.m. ET
Stonestreet Stables LLC, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith's Zulu (Bernardini) got opening day of the Championship Meet off to a flying start for trainer Todd Pletcher with a comfortable two-length score in his six-panel unveiling here Dec. 5. The bay has posted a trio of four-furlong breezes at Palm Beach Downs in the interim–capped by a bullet :48.95 (1/9) move Jan. 8–and is set to make his second career start as the 6-5 morning line favorite in this spot. The colt was snapped up for $400,000 by Northwest Stud as a Keeneland September yearling and progressed to go for $900,000 to these connections just months later at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale in March. Zulu, whose second dam is MGSW Lemhi Go (Lemhi Gold), is a half-brother to MSW & GSP Third Chance (Kafwain) and MSW Banner Bill (Rockport Harbor). The sophomore breaks from the outside post in a field of eight and retains the services of Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez. His steepest competition may come from Everest Stables homebred Cardio Cowboy (Petionville), a half-brother to GSW Saham (Lemon Drop Kid) who recently scored by open lengths in his 6 1/2-furlong debut at Parx Racing Dec. 12. TJCIS PPs.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
