Zulu Alpha gives Maker another win in Kentucky Turf Cup

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Another Kentucky Turf Cup – and another ex-claimer winning for Mike Maker.

Zulu Alpha, who was claimed nearly a year ago by John Ortiz on behalf of owner Michael Hui and transferred shortly thereafter to Maker, got a perfect ride from Jose Ortiz in posting a 3 1/4-length triumph Saturday in the Grade 3, $1 million Kentucky Turf Cup, the signature race of the five-day Runhappy meet at Kentucky Downs.

It was the fourth time in the last five years that Maker was the winning trainer in the Turf Cup. He also won the 2015 and 2016 runnings with Da Big Hoss and the 2017 renewal with Oscar Nominated, both of them also acquired through the claim box.

Zulu Alpha, a 6-year-old gelding bred by the race sponsor, Calumet Farm, was claimed by Hui for $80,000 last September at Churchill Downs. The Turf Cup marks his fourth graded stakes win since then, and his richest of all, with the winner’s share worth $591,170.

“This race was on our mind when we claimed him,” said Hui, an Arkansas businessman. “It was a dream come true. There is no substitute in this sport for your horse winning and coming back safe.”

Zulu Alpha paid $6.20 as second choice when completing the 1 1/2-mile distance in 2:28.62 over a firm course. Arklow, the 8-5 favorite and 2018 Turf Cup winner, ran well to be second, another half-length before late-running Campaign.

Zulu Alpha gave Ortiz his fourth winner of the day. The 25-year-old jockey was cognizant of how speed had dominated throughout the Saturday card, keeping his mount within striking distance of the longshot early leader, Factor This.

“I was focused on keeping out of trouble, keep clear, wait as long as I could,” said Ortiz. “I smooched at my horse at the three-eighths pole and he was there for me. He exploded. He gave me a great run.”

Turning into the stretch, with Arklow looming a threat from just behind him, Zulu Alpha put on a sudden burst to open a clear lead, and he quickly put the issue to rest.

“I’m glad Mr. Hui likes Kentucky Downs as much as I do,” quipped Maker, the all-time leading trainer in track history in both wins and stable earnings.

Maker said the Sycamore next month at Keeneland and/or the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita are plausible targets for Zulu Alpha.

On a beautiful late-summer afternoon, Factor This went in splits of 51.47 and 1:15.32 when hounded by several chasers. In the end, those longshots were no match for the two onrushing favorites, with Zulu Alpha clearly best over Arklow.

“Second-best today, no excuse,” said Brad Cox, trainer of Arklow.

The $2 exacta (9-10) paid $16, the $1 trifecta (9-10-11) returned $29.10, and the 10-cent superfecta (9-10-11-6) was worth $21.24.

The Turf Cup ended an all-stakes pick five that returned $5,594.75 for 50 cents. Handle was $545,305.

The Turf Cup culminated the richest card in track history as the last of 10 races. Purses on the day totaled about $3.7 million, including bonuses from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. The Turf Cup included $450,000 in KTDF bonuses, with nine of the 11 starters being Kentucky-bred.

An all-sources handle record of $11,322,270 was set Saturday, surpassing the former mark of $10,039,008 on this date last year.

This was the 28th running of the Turf Cup, first run in 1991 as the Sam Houston Handicap when this track was still known as Dueling Grounds.

► Racing resumes here Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Central. Thursday is closing day of the Runhappy meet, with Churchill Downs starting its 11-day September meet the following afternoon.