Zulu Alpha from claimer to stakes winner in Keeneland's Sycamore
Claimed in his last start, Zulu Alpha returned a big winner with new connections, sliding up the rail to take Thursday’s Grade 3, $100,000 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland.
The $80,000 purchase began making good immediately for new owner Michael Hui and trainer Johnny Alexander Ortiz, who saddled the 7-1 shot, his first graded stakes winner.
"He runs really big every time he runs, especially the last three starts," said Ortiz who, even though he didn't condition Zulu Alpha until this race, kept an eye on him. "Right now I'm speechless. I'm very thankful."
Zulu Alpha’s final time for 1 1/2 miles was 2:34.21. He tracked the leaders throughout before jockey Channing Hill guided him inside of pace-setting Final Copy in the stretch.
Hill retained the mount from Zulu Alpha’s Sept. 14 allowance optional claiming win going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs.
"He really finished up nice with plenty of horse left," Hill said. "I just want to congratulate Johnny. This is a big day for him."
A Calumet Farm homebred, Zulu Alpha, who has run in both Europe and the United States, improved his record to 6-3-4 in 20 career starts. He paid $16.20 to win.
The favored Arklow advanced from fourth to second while running across the wire the first time.
"I was trying to get him cover first time down the lane," Hill said. "When (Arklow) pressed the pace, it was either, am I going to fight him to stay in this bad spot, or am I just going to kind of put him inside?
"The way he ran at Churchill last time, obviously he enjoys kind of coming through the fence."