Zulu Alpha likely favorite in Mac Diarmida

Zulu Alpha is the likely favorite in the Grade 2, $200,000 Mac Diarmida on the Gulfstream Park undercard Saturday based on his 11-1 victory in the Pegasus World Cup Turf.

Trainer Mike Maker said the 1 3/8-mile Mac Diarmida is a bridge toward the next main goal for the 7-year-old gelding, the Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic on the May 2 Kentucky Derby undercard.

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“He won’t run again until then,” Maker said. “It seems like he runs a little bit better when he’s fresh, and we’ll be turning back in distance for that race” at 1 1/8 miles.

Zulu Alpha, claimed for $80,000 by owner Michael Hui in September 2018, has emerged as a standout in the older-horse turf division. He won the Pegasus Turf with a great off-the-pace ride from Tyler Gaffalione, who has the mount back Saturday.

Other known contenders in the 25th Mac Diarmida include A Thread of Blue, Sadler’s Joy, and the 36-1 winner of the Grade 3 McKnight on the Pegasus undercard, Spooky Channel. Admission Office and Channel Maker are among those under consideration.

◗ Ajaaweed, a distant third in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs in his last start, will run next in the March 21 Louisiana Derby or the March 28 UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup undercard, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

“We need more distance with him,” McLaughlin said.

Ajaaweed, a Shadwell Stable homebred, was making his 3-year-old debut in the Davis. The Curlin colt ended his 2-year-old season with a fast-closing runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Remsen behind Shotski.

◗ With nothing but maiden and/or claiming events on a 10-race card here Thursday, the focus of many horseplayers will be on the 20-cent Rainbow 6, which spans races 5-10. A pool guarantee of $400,000 is projected. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.