Zulu Kingdom returns with game victory in Columbia Stakes

OLDSMAR, Fla. – The narrow margin of victory may not tell the whole story how well Zulu Kingdom ran beating Reagan’s Wit by a neck in Saturday’s $100,000 Columbia Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Racing up close to a strong early pace set by longshot Peace Cloud, and with contender Dream On prompting him from the outside, Zulu Kingdom got away from those two approaching the top of the stretch, then held off a run from the late-running Reagan’s Wit to take the Columbia in his first start since last Nov. 1. It was 3 3/4 lengths back to Revolutionnaire who got third by a nostril over Early Adopter.

Trainer Chad Brown had expressed some disappointment with Zulu Kingdom’s trip in last November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf when the horse attended a strong pace and faded to seventh. The Columbia appeared to be developing that way with Zulu Kingdom within a half-length of longshot Peace Cloud through a half-mile in 46.16 seconds. Jockey Flavien Prat couldn’t give Zulu Kingdom a breather down the backside because Dream On, the 2-1 second choice, was right off of Zulu Kingdom’s flank.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

“I was hoping we could get a better breather down the backside, but that horse was keeping me involved so he did keep me on my toes,” Prat said.

Prat said he was able to give Zulu Kingdom a little breather around the far turn, but then he had to brace for Reagan’s Wit, who appeared to be getting a dream trip under Jose Ortiz. Reagan’s Wit, coming off just a maiden victory in his second start, was gaining on Zulu Kingdom, but he fell a neck short.

“I had a good trip, I followed the winner,” Ortiz said. “I came outside of him at the quarter pole, he kept going too. We came home running, it was very good. I think my horse ran a very good race.”

Zulu Kingdom, who improved his record to 3 for 4 with three stakes wins – all by a neck – covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:33.24 – just .33 off the course record, and returned $5.20 as the favorite. He is owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Straus, and Michael Caruso.

“It’s not what I had hoped, in between horses going :46; it wasn’t Flavien’s fault, he was in a good spot and then [Dream On] wanted to go and it was a three-way duel,” Brown said. “He survived that and held off an up-and-coming nice horse.

“It was good to get the win,” Brown added. “It was off a layoff, that’s a real time, it should serve him good for the rest of the year if he stays healthy.”

Brown said Zulu Kingdom would be considered for the Grade 3, $600,000 Transylvania at Keeneland on April 4 and/or the newly-minted Grade 1, $1 million American Turf at Churchill Downs on May 3.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.