Zulu Alpha has options out of Turf Cup win

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Zulu Alpha came out of his sharp win here Saturday in the Kentucky Turf Cup in good order and will be pointed either to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita or the Canadian International on Oct. 12 at Woodbine.

Trainer Mike Maker said he hadn’t yet spoken to owner Michael Hui as of Sunday afternoon about plans for Zulu Alpha, but an agenda should be firmed up within a week or so.

Zulu Alpha had finished fifth in the Bowling Green at Saratoga and ended a four-race losing streak with a 3 1/4-length victory over Arklow in the 1 1/2-mile Turf Cup. Maker said he thought this was Zulu Alpha’s top performance since Hui claimed the 6-year-old Street Cry gelding last September. Zulu Alpha got a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for Saturday's race.

Maker said Chimney Rock, the 2-year-old who was beaten a head Saturday in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, would make his next start in the $200,000 Indian Summer over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Keeneland on Oct. 6 with an eye toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Chimney Rock not only was checked badly after the start of the race, he was one of the only horses on the entire card to sustain a run from far off the early pace.

Swanage, a 2-year-old filly who won a maiden route race here Saturday by more than two lengths, is a possible runner in the Jessamine Stakes on Oct. 9 at Keeneland.