Zulu Kingdom Holds Class Edge Over Pilgrim Rivals

Undefeated Zulu Kingdom  could be on his way to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) once he’s crossed the finish line in the Sept. 28 Pilgrim Stakes (G2T) at Belmont at the Big A. The 2-year-old, one trainer Chad Brown feels is at the top of the juvenile turf division, starts as the likely morning line favorite in the $200,000 Pilgrim, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series event, off his gallant stateside debut score in the With Anticipation Stakes (G3T).

“(Zulu Kingdom) got a great trip and he really came through first time in the country for us,” said Brown. The multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer has captured the Pilgrim three times, including with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf hero Structor  in 2019.

Purchased privately by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael Caruso following the colt’s impressive debut in France, Zulu Kingdom battled down the lane for a neck victory over Tenacious Leader  in the With Anticipation Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course.

With Flavien Prat riding out west on a Super Saturday of racing, Joel Rosario takes over on Zulu Kingdom in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest. The performance earned the son of Ten Sovereigns  a 90 Equibase Speed Figure. If Zulu Kingdom were to win the Pilgrim, his connections would be awarded an all-fees paid berth to the Nov. 1 $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.

Brown will also saddle the British-bred Early Adopter  for longtime client Klaravich Stables in the Pilgrim. The $215,754 Tattersalls October buy stormed to a neck win at first asking Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course. Manuel Franco retains the mount on the Lope de Vega  colt in his stakes debut.

Cherie DeVaux-trained Without Caution  takes a shot at Zulu Kingdom again after finishing sixth in the With Anticipation. In his start prior, the son of Without Parole  graduated by 1 3/4 lengths in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at the Spa.

There are two maidens and three last-out maiden winners completing the field of eight juveniles. One of those recent maiden victors to watch stepping into stakes company is the finely-bred Concord Green . The son of War Front  , a half sibling to grade 3 winner Scarlett Sky , rallied to a three-quarters of a length tally Aug. 17 at Saratoga for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.