Consistent Zulu Alpha holds slight edge in wide-open Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – After Bricks and Mortar, perhaps the most consistent runner in the older male turf division is Zulu Alpha.

From seven starts in 2019, Zulu Alpha has three stakes wins and three losses by one length or less. It is his consistency and proficiency at 1 1/2 miles that may give him an edge in a seemingly wide-open renewal of Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Classic at Belmont Park. The Joe Hirsch is named for the long-time Daily Racing Form executive columnist who died in 2009.

Zulu Alpha enters the Joe Hirsch off a dominant 3 1/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup on Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs. Prior to that, he was beaten a length when fifth to Channel Cat in the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga where the top eight finishers were separated by 2 1/2 lengths.

In the Bowling Green, Zulu Alpha appeared to lack running room in the stretch under Jose Lezcano.

“In the Bowling Green, he got hung up,” owner Michael Hui said. “Lezcano came back and was almost apologetic. He had a lot of horse at the end, but he didn’t have anywhere to go.”

Hui said trainer Mike Maker wanted to freshen Zulu Alpha after that race and point to the $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup, which proved to be the right call.

“He came out of that race probably training as well as he has ever since we had him,” said Hui, who claimed Zulu Alpha for $80,000 in September 2018. “That nice 12 furlongs with the stretch uphill, if your horse is not fit, he will be.”

Zulu Alpha is 3 for 6 at the Joe Hirsch distance of 1 1/2 miles.

Channing Hill, who has had success on Zulu Alpha, has the call on him from the rail.

The 6-year-old Sadler’s Joy is making his third straight attempt at winning the Hirsch. In past two years, the Hirsch was his penultimate race of a long campaign. Entering this year’s Hirsch, Sadler’s Joy has run only twice. He was in tight when sixth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths, in the Bowling Green. He was beaten a neck by Annals of Time when brushed in the stretch of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer.

“We tried to have him ready for the Manhattan [in June], but we had some minor things that slowed him down,” trainer Tom Albertrani said. “He came around for Saratoga. The horse is in great form, he’s still willing to want to train and he’s feeling good.”

Sadler’s Joy is only 1 for 9 at Belmont, the win coming in an allowance race in 2016.

Channel Maker won last year’s Joe Hirsch in gate-to-wire fashion for trainer Bill Mott. He came into that race in sharp form. He comes into this year’s Hirsch off fourth-place finishes in both the Bowling Green, when beaten three-quarters of a length, and the Sword Dancer, when he was beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

He probably is best served by being forwardly placed early on. With Joel Rosario at Keeneland on Saturday, John Velazquez picks up the mount.

Channel Cat won the Grade 2 Bowling Green in front-running fashion before finishing third to Annals of Time and Sadler’s Joy in the Sword Dancer.

In his first two starts in the United States, Ya Primo, a Group 1 winner in Chile, has shown to be a bit headstrong. He was on the lead in the Sword Dancer and ultimately finished last. Trainer Chad Brown wants a different trip Saturday.

“He’s been really settled in his works,” Brown said. “He just needs to settle and make one run. That’s his preferred style.”

Arklow is winless five tries this year, but three of his losses have come by a half-length or less. Most recently, he finished second to Zulu Alpha in the Kentucky Turf Cup.

The New York-bred Cross Border, like Zulu Alpha trained by Maker, steps into graded stakes company for the first time. He went 3 for 3 at Saratoga, with two wins coming in New York-bred company.