Zulu Alpha up late to take Mac Diarmida

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Zulu Alpha capped off a long and wild day of racing when rallying from just off the pace to a popular three-quarter-length victory over the late-running Melmich in the Grade 2, $200,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes, the 14th and final race on Saturday’s Fountain of Youth program at Gulfstream Park.

Zulu Alpha, a long-distance specialist trained by Mike Maker for owner Michael Hui, had already won the Grade 3, 1 1/2-mile W. L. McKnight earlier in the meet. The 6-year-old son of Street Cry joined Maker’s barn last fall, not long after being claimed for $80,000 out of a winning effort against high-priced optional claiming and allowance company late last summer at Churchill Downs.

With regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Zulu Alpha rated about six lengths off a modest early pace set by longshot Village King before moving to closer contention after six furlongs. Zulu Alpha rallied three wide to engage for command entering the stretch, took control nearing the sixteenth marker, then held sway under strong handling at the end.

Melmich finished best of all down the center of the course to get second, a neck better than the 40-1, rail-skimming Kulin Rock who, like the winner, is trained by Maker.

Zulu Alpha completed 1 3/8 miles over the firm course in 2:16.39 and paid $4.20 after recording his eighth victory in 23 lifetime starts.

“We came in with a lot of confidence,” said Maker. “Irad said he didn’t get away too good, and he was back a little further than we were expecting, but it worked out well in the end. He’s doing well now, but I hope we have a little room to improve.”

As for Zulu Alpha’s next start, Maker said “the plan all along was to run in this one and then wait for Keeneland.”