Fulsome pointed to Alysheba Stakes at Churchill
Fulsome, who has served as a workmate for Kentucky Derby-bound stablemate Zozos recently, will have his own date under the twin spires on the first weekend in May, as he targets the Grade 2, $500,000 Alysheba Stakes.
Fulsome won three stakes during his 2021 campaign, including the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. In his first outing this season, he won the Oaklawn Mile by a neck over Cezanne on April 2.
Fulsome worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 seconds while inside of Zozos on Friday morning at Churchill Downs, on a track that was officially rated fast but still held some moisture after rain that week.
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"He was down on the inside. I thought the track may have been a little bit heavier on the inside," trainer Brad Cox said. "He's a good horse - I thought it was a good matchup."
Among Fulsome’s foes for the Alysheba will be Happy Saver, trainer Todd Pletcher said. The Grade 1 winner will be making his 2022 debut. He most recently finished second to Maxfield in the Grade 1 Clark last November at Churchill Downs.
Juvenile bombers
It has been bombs away in Kentucky’s early-season 2-year-old races during the Keeneland spring meeting.
Entering the final three race days of this meet, Keeneland’s six 4 1/2-furlong 2-year-old maiden races have been won by six different trainers - Sarah Hamilton, John Hancock, Mike Maker, Paul McEntee, Luis Mendez, and Wesley Ward. Only one favorite has won, and the average winning payout has been $26.10.
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Keeneland has carded a 2-year-old maiden going 4 1/2 furlongs on the dirt for Thursday, the penultimate day of the spring meet, which has drawn nine entries. Juveniles also get their first chance on turf of the year in a five-furlong race will have a large field of 12. A similar turf sprint on Friday's closing-day card has drawn an overflow field of 13.