Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Stonestreet Stables' unbeaten Zulu (Bernardini) is being aimed at the GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park Feb. 27.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Zulu earned the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction with an impressive $75,000 optional claiming tally going seven furlongs in the Gulfstream slop Jan. 15 (video). The bay, a $400,000 KEESEP yearling and $900,000 FTFMAR juvenile, also won his debut in Hallandale going a furlong shorter Dec. 5.
The Fountain of Youth, contested at 1 1/16 miles, would be Zulu's first trip around two turns.
“You would think a Bernardini out of a Summer Squall mare wouldn't have a limit, pedigree-wise,” Pletcher said. “The question now is: it's going to be his first step up into a graded stake against more seasoned, more experienced company, I would assume. I like the spacing of it. He's already had two races over the track. He seems to like it. You have to step up and see where you are at some point.”
Pletcher has saddled the winners of the past two editions of the GI Florida Derby with fellow 'TDN Rising Stars' Constitution (Tapit) (2014) and Materiality (Afleet Alex) (2015).
“I can't say [Zulu] reminds me of the two Florida Derby winners. The horse that he reminds me of is Stay Thirsty,” Pletcher said of the 2011 GI Travers S. winner. “Physically, they're very similar types and they're both by Bernardini.”
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