Arklow, Zulu Alpha will meet for an 11th time in Calumet Turf Cup

FRANKLIN, Ky. – With both of them perhaps showing signs of age, Arklow and Zulu Alpha will meet for a remarkable 11th time Saturday in the showcase race of the Kentucky Downs meet, the $1 million Calumet Turf Cup.

Their 10 prior common races have resulted in Arklow finishing ahead of Zulu Alpha five times, and vice-versa. In a rivalry dating to the Muniz Memorial at Fair Grounds in March 2018, the long-distance turf pros have combined for more than $5 million in earnings, with Arklow amassing more than $2.75 million and Zulu Alpha nearly $2.27 million.

Arklow, trained throughout a 34-race career by Brad Cox, won the 2018 Turf Cup without Zulu Alpha in the lineup. Zulu Alpha then won the Turf Cup in 2019, with Arklow second as the 8-5 favorite. Arklow then returned the favor last September by winning the 1 1/2-mile race with Zulu Alpha third at 4-5.

However, neither has been close in each of his last two starts – Zulu Alpha, now 8, finished well back in the Arlington Stakes and Mister D., while Arklow, now 7, also was soundly defeated in the United Nations and Del Mar Handicap.

“Maybe the slow pace in the Mister D. got us, I don’t know,” said Mike Maker, trainer of Zulu Alpha. “He’s come back to train well, so we’re going to give it another try.”

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An oversubscribed field of older horses that will be limited to 12 starters has been entered in the Grade 2 Calumet Turf Cup, one of five straight stakes on a sensational Saturday card also highlighted by the $1 million FanDuel Turf Sprint. Both are Win and You’re In qualifiers toward the Nov. 5-6 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

The six-day Kentucky Downs meet will end Sunday with an 11-race card. First post every day is 12:15 p.m. Central.