It was another close call for Zulu Kingdom in the $200,000 Pilgrim (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday, but the odds-on choice pulled off yet another win, his third in a row, and is now likely bound for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar.
The Pilgrim was run over a course downgraded to yielding over the course of a rainy afternoon, a condition Zulu Kingdom is unlikely to encounter in Southern California. Tracking in midpack most of the way, Zulu Kingdom produced a solid kick in midstretch to grab the lead inside the final furlong. However, after looking as if Zulu Kingdom would win comfortably, Noble Confessor came charging up the inside to fall just a neck short of a mild upset.
“I think he was just waiting a little bit,” jockey Joel Rosario said. “He’s young. He looked a little bit around, but when he’s here [by] himself, when he opened up a little bit, he sees himself with nobody around, so we were just looking for some company.”
Zulu Kingdom returned $3.70 after completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:48.67. Chad Brown trains the Irish-bred son of Ten Sovereigns for the partnership of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael Caruso.
“He ran great even though he got steadied on the backside,” Brown said. “Joel did the right thing covering him up and bided his time. I was happy to see him handle the soft ground; I wasn’t sure. It looks like a nice setup for the Breeders’ Cup.”
The maiden Noble Confessor, who was attempting to give trainer Todd Pletcher his fourth consecutive win in the Pilgrim, finished 4 1/2 lengths ahead of the Brown-trained Early Adopter. Smooth Breeze, Flying Mohawk, Without Caution, Concord Green, and Fully Authorized completed the order of finish.
Zulu Kingdom began his career in France with trainer Andre Fabre, who saddled the colt to a 3 1/2-length debut win over soft ground at Saint-Cloud going seven furlongs on June 4. Zulu Kingdom made his U.S. debut in the Aug. 29 With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga, in which he was along in time to win by a neck.
“He’s always struck me as a horse that might be even better at a mile with more pace,” Brown said. “He’s been able to get the job done the last two starts with two good rides and he keeps moving forward. I think we’ll see the best of him at a flat mile.”
Zulu Kingdom was produced Zindziswa, a daughter of Smart Strike who has also reared the stakes-winning Zulu Warrior.
The Chilean-bred Mufasa skipped over the Big A’s sloppy main track to land the $250,000 Vosburgh (G3) and an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar in early November.
The 8-5 favorite against five rivals, Mufasa rated comfortably in second behind pacesetting Dean Delivers, overtook that rival in upper stretch, and drew off decisively to win by 4 1/4 lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I think it was impressive,” said Nacho Correas, who trains the five-year-old for Carlos Saavedra and Stud Vendaval. “We were expecting something big from him. I’m not sure if that is big; the only question was the surface. He’d never run on the slop.”
Mufasa covered seven furlongs in 1:22.51 and returned $5.20. Scotland rallied for second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Dean Delivers. The order of finish was rounded out by Baby Yoda, Seven’s Eleven, and Lord Miles.
Mufasa, presumably named for the character in “The Lion King,” could be a sentimental play for some bettors at the Breeders’ Cup, given the recent passing of actor James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in the hit animated motion picture.
The equine Mufasa has been a hit himself, both in his native Chile and in the U.S. He’s won 10 of 13 starts overall and more than $250,000, and he’s now a Group/Grade 3 winner on two continents. He preceded the Vosburgh win with an allowance score at Colonial Downs over multiple Grade 3 winner Repo Rocks.
Mufasa generally raced at a mile and beyond in Chile, so Correas said the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) would also be considered.
“I don’t know, it depends on how the race is drawn out,” Correas said. “We still have time to think and look into it. We still have a little bit more than a month.”
Mufasa is a son of Practical Joke and was produced by the Scat Daddy mare Miscanti.
