NYRA announced Thursday that Zulu Kingdom (Ire) will headline Friday’s GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga, entering as the 6-5 morning-line favorite.
The Ten Sovereigns colt, perfect in three starts this season including a victory in the GI American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs, brings a six-for-seven career record into the one-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds.
“I think two-turn turf races at the middle distance there’s always a lot of close finishes, but he has a lot of natural heart and ability,” said trainer Chad Brown. “He’s a natural competitor when it comes down to the wire.”
Brown, seeking a record-extending eighth victory in this event, campaigns the colt in partnership with Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael J. Caruso.
The only blemish on Zulu Kingdom’s record came with a seventh-place finish in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. He enters Friday’s race off a winning performance in the GIII Manila Stakes at Saratoga on July 4.
“A mile, mile and a sixteenth–right now–is what I think he wants to do. We’ll see as he gets a little older (about stretching out). He’s coming into the race great. He’s training well,” Brown added.
Luther (GB), a Frankel colt trained by Charlie Fellowes, cuts back in distance after rallying for third in his U.S. debut in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Saratoga on July 4.
Clever Again (American Pharoah) switches to grass for trainer Steve Asmussen. The colt won the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn in front-running fashion on March 30 before finishing ninth in the GI Preakness Stakes on May 17 and sixth in the GIII Ohio Derby on June 21.
