Zulu Alpha winning last year’s Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup over 2018 winner Arklow
FRANKLIN, Ky. (Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2020) — The fields are set for America’s biggest day of turf racing this year outside the Breeders’ Cup, with a sensational stakes quintet on tap Saturday at the RUNHAPPY Meet at Kentucky Downs.
Each stakes on the Calumet Farm Day program is worth at least $500,000, with the four Grade 3 stakes highlighted by the $1 million Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles. The other graded stakes are the $700,000 RUNHAPPY Turf Sprint at six furlongs, whose winner will receive a fees-paid spot in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 7 at Keeneland as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series’ “Win and You’re In” program, along with the $500,000 English Channel Ladies Turf at a mile, the $500,000 Real Solution Ladies Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs and the $500,000 Bal a Bali Juvenile Turf Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs.
The Kentucky Turf Cup is headed by Michael Hui’s 2019 winner Zulu Alpha and Donegal Racing’s 2018 winner Arklow. Both became Grade 1 winners after their 1-2 finish a year ago at Kentucky Downs, with Arklow winning Belmont Park’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in his next start and Zulu Alpha taking Gulfstream Park’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf in January.
Zulu Alpha will try to join Rochester and Da Big Hoss as the only repeat winners in Kentucky Turf Cup history, which dates to the first year the track opened in 1990.
“He had a maintenance work on Monday, and I’m marking the days off on the calendar to race day,” said trainer Mike Maker. “I’ve got to say he’s coming into the race this year even better than last, because he’s had such a great year.”
Said Hui: “I spoke with Mike, obviously about Zulu, because I always ask about him first. He says he’s never been better and expects him to have his usual performance where he always shows up. He loves Kentucky Downs. As far as the post (10), I’m glad he drew outside rather than the inside, and he’ll get a good look at Arklow (post 5) in his new blinkers.”
At 1 1/2 miles (10th race, post time 5:04 p.m. Central): Zulu Alpha, a very good fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, has made a claim as being America’s best distance turf horse after winning the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf and tacking on Grade 2 victories in Gulfstream Park’s Mac Diarmida and Keeneland’s Elkhorn.
His only defeat in four starts was by a neck to stablemate Bemma’s Boy in Gulfstream’s Pan American (G2).
Arklow is trying to regain his 2019 form, and trainer Brad Cox has been pleased how the 6-year-old horse has responded in training to the addition of blinkers.
While Zulu Alpha and Arklow’s rematch is the main story line, the supporting cast is solid in the field of 12, with four other horses needing scratches to run. Others in the race include stakes-winners Postulation, the 2017 Kentucky Turf Cup runner-up; Eons, Red Knight, He’s No Lemon and stakes sponsor Calumet Farm’s American Tattoo.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the New York-bred 12-1 shot Red Knight is making his first start since January.
“I’m actually a little worried about Red Knight,” said Mike Maker, Zulu Alpha’s trainer. “He had plenty of options up there (in New York) and they chose to come down here. You have to respect that. Look at the horses he’s been running with.”
Maker also is running Grand Journey, who has been training with Zulu Alpha. “I said that as good as he’s working, there are not very many options for him so take a shot.”
Here’s the field in post-position order with jockey, trainer and morning-line odds): Changi (Tyler Baze/Jeanne Dolan 50-1), Red Knight (Luis Saez, Bill Mott 12-1), Grand Journey (Irad Ortiz/Mike Maker 15-1), Eons (Flavien Prat/Arnaud Delacour 20-1), Arklow (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox 9-2), Postulation (Julien Leparoux/Michael Matz 8-1), He’s No Lemon (Javier Castellano, Graham Motion 10-1), Bundibunan (James Graham/Ignacio Correas 30-1), American Tattoo (Adam Beschizza/Jack Sisterson 30-1), Zulu Alpha (Tyler Gaffalione/Mike Maker 7-5), Standard Deviation (John Velazquez/Graham Motion 12-1), Hierarchy (Corey Lanerie/Joe Sharp 12-1). Also eligible: Celerity (Gabriel Saez/Waylon Cundiff 50-1), Tintoretto (Joe Talamo/Michael McCarthy 30-1), Perfect Tapatino (Adam Beschizza/Roger Attfield 50-1), Surprise Twist (Joel Rosario/Arnaud Delacour 50-1).
Photo Credit: Coady Photography
