The Todd Pletcher-trained Zulu showed no signs of rust when he returned from a long layoff to roll to a dominating two-and-three-quarter-length victory in the Tamarac Stakes at Gulfstream Park December 18.
The three-year-old son of Bernardini had always been highly-regarded in the Pletcher barn, and was on the Triple Crown trail. After winning his first two starts, Zulu finished second to Mohaymen in the G2 Fountain of Youth. After running in the G1 Toyota Blue Grass, the colt’s connections decided not to push him, and instead gave him some time off. The freshening worked wonders, as Zulu stalked the early pace from third before overtaking the leaders on the far turn and pulling away for the victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Ron Magers and Robert Marcocchio, Zulu is out of Temporada, a winning daughter of Summer Squall. In addition to Zulu, Temporada has produced the multiple Listed Stakes winners Third Chance (by Kafwain) and Banner Bill (by Rockport Harbor). Temporada is out of the multiple Graded Stakes winner Lemhi Go, who captured the G2 La Prevoyante and G3 Arlington Matron.
Bernardini had yet another banner year in 2016, and is the sire of such top performers as Cavorting (G1 Personal Ensign, G1 Ogden Phipps), Hemsworth (G2 Nashua), Lewis Bay (G2 Gazelle, G3 Turnback The Alarm), and Penwith (G2 Royal Delta), just to name a few. As a sire, Bernardini has a higher percentage of G1 winners, G1 horses, Graded Stakes winners, and Graded Stakes horses from both starters and foals than Malibu Moon.
Bernardini will stand the 2017 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $100,000, stands and nurses.
