Zulu Alpha notches first graded win in Sycamore Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Zulu Alpha, making his first start since being claimed by trainer John Ortiz, came up the inside to catch favored Arklow in the Grade 3, $100,000 Sycamore Stakes, giving both himself and his new trainer their first graded stakes victories before a crowd of 10,431 on a bright, brisk fall afternoon at Keeneland.

Zulu Alpha, a 5-year-old Street Cry gelding, has now won three of his last four starts, all with jockey Channing Hill aboard. Third in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Handicap in March at Fair Grounds, he spent the rest of the spring and summer competing on the Midwest circuit. Kentucky-based Ortiz, who said he has been watching the gelding run for some time, claimed him for $80,000 from Calumet Farm and Neil Howard, on behalf of owner Michael Hui, from a Sept. 14 allowance-optional claiming victory on the Churchill Downs turf.

"He runs really big every time he runs, especially his last few starts," Ortiz said. "I'm speechless."

Zulu Alpha ($16.20) was keen to go on early in the 1 1/2-mile Sycamore, but Hill wrangled him back to sit second, 1 1/2 lengths behind loose pacesetter Final Copy, though the opening half in 52.64 seconds on a turf course officially rated good. Off that slow opening half, Arklow, who was coming off a victory in the Grade 3 Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs, moved up the first time through the stretch in the marathon race, and was running off Final Copy's flank to turn up the pressure on him through the first six furlongs in 1:18.75. That gave Zulu Alpha some cover and helped him settle back in third.

"Obviously, there's a little concern, just because [Arklow is] the favorite, he's the horse to beat," Hill said. "But I was happy that my horse got a little cover. I was trying to give him cover the first time down the lane, and then when [Arklow] pressed the pace, it was either, 'Am I going to fight him for this spot, or am I just going to get [Zulu Alpha] inside?'"

Arklow came to even terms with Final Copy around the last of three turns, with graded stakes winner Oscar Nominated revving up just behind those two. Arklow very briefly forged his way to the lead in midstretch and drove for the wire, but Hill found running room inside for Zulu Alpha, who came on with a flourish. He powered clear in the final yards for a two-length victory. The final time for the 1 1/2 miles was 2:34.21.

Arklow, whom trainer Brad Cox said this week was using the Sycamore as a prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf in just over two weeks at Churchill Downs, easily held second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Bigger Picture. The latter came on to edge Final Copy by a neck for third.