No Pegasus Turf this year — what's next for Zulu Alpha?
When an expected field of 12 lines up for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, one horse will be conspicuous in his absence. That will be defending champion Zulu Alpha.
The 8-year-old Street Cry gelding has not been seen since Sept. 12, when he came in third in the Kentucky Cup Turf Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs on a course turned into a quagmire by heavy rain.
He then was pointed toward the $4 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race in which he had finished fourth at Santa Anita in 2019. He was withdrawn from consideration two weeks before he was to compete at Keeneland because of what owner Michael Hui (pronounced HOY) had described as slight swelling above his left ankle that was thought to be related to a contusion.
[RELATED: Independence Hall, Coastal Defense invited to Pegasus World Cup]
According to trainer Michael Maker, that ankle continues to be troublesome and led him to cancel plans to have Zulu Alpha shipped to Gulfstream Park during the second week in December to begin preparations for a Pegasus Turf encore.
“He just has a little ankle injury,” Maker said, “and we’re giving him all the time he needs.”
When Maker was asked whether he is confident that the earner of more than $2.2 million lifetime will make it back to the races this season, he responded, “Yeah, but with horses nothing is ever 100 percent.”
Maker and Hui emphasized that continued rest should lead to a full recovery. They do not believe it will be necessary to retire the seven-time graded-stakes winner.
“I’m optimistic,” Hui said. “The optimism is really high.”
Whatever the future brings, Zulu Alpha always will hold a special place in his owner’s heart. Hui claimed him for $80,000 at Churchill Downs in September 2018. Not only did the horse provide him with his first Grade 1 victory in the Pegasus Turf, but he did so in convincing fashion. He turned back trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Irish import Magic Wand by two lengths.
Zulu Alpha reiterated his affinity for Gulfstream Park’s lawn when he followed the Pegasus Turf with a score in the Mac Diarmida (G2), his fourth victory in six tries at the South Florida track. Maker stressed that he will not rush Zulu Alpha’s return so that he can compete in Gulfstream’s Championship Meet.
“If he makes it, he makes it,” he said. “We’re in no hurry.”
In Zulu Alpha’s absence, it appears that the Pegasus Turf will be headlined by Say the Word and Storm the Court. Both have West Coast connections. Say the Word is trained by Philip D’Amato; Peter Eurton conditions Storm the Court, long-shot winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in 2019.
The field also potentially includes three invitees from trainer Todd Pletcher’s deep and talented barn: Colonel Liam, Largent and Social Paranoia. An invitation also was extended to Maker’s Cross Border, owned by Three Diamonds Farm.
Hui indicated that it was a fairly easy decision to extend Zulu Alpha’s time at a Kentucky farm and skip the Pegasus Turf.
“We just want to be sure he has the quality of life he deserves,” he said. “To spend any time around him, he’s a very likable horse. He’s curious if anything new shows up. He’s not aggressive. He’s very playful. He’s got a lot of class to him. You can warm to him very easily.”
Maker accepted Zulu Alpha’s setback as part of the territory when it comes to training powerful yet fragile Thoroughbreds.
“It’s the nature of the beast,” he said. “It’s disappointing, but that victory last year, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m grateful for that one.”