Derby Dozen: Zulu a late starter but could be a fast finisher

Normally, this is the time of year when one could make a second job out of sorting through the armada of well-regarded Todd Pletcher-trained sophomores, trying to tab which ones will represent the seven-time Eclipse Award winner come the first Saturday in May.

By Pletcher’s standards, his 2-year-old runners of 2015 were light on accomplishments and he began this year without a major player in the 3-year-old male ranks. If there is a later-developing breakout contender in his shedrow, it just might be impressive allowance winner, Zulu.

The son of Bernardini didn’t make his debut until Dec. 5, winning a 6-furlong test in front-running fashion at Gulfstream Park. With many of racing’s glitterati in town for the Eclipse Awards ceremony on Jan. 15, Zulu gave his trainer something to buzz about that evening as he rated just off the early leader and the overwhelmed his challengers to win by 7 1/4 lengths going 7 furlongs over a sealed, sloppy surface.

“We felt like our 2-year-olds were a little slow to come around this summer and ... thought we had a few that were promising and he was certainly one of them,” Pletcher said. “Now we’ll see if he’s ready for that next level.”

Owners: Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Breeder: Ron Magers and Robert Marcocchio

Bloodline: Bay colt by Bernardini-Temporada, by Summer Squall

Career record: Two starts, 2-0-0, $46,800

Last start: Won 7-furlong allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 15

Next start: Likely for Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27

Potential trouble: Has a lovely, classic pedigree but who knows how he’ll handle going two turns against open company.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:16 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Zulu a late starter but could be a fast finisher."