Luther protests, takes Hall of Fame via disqualification

A troubled Luther launched a protest that upended the established order and sparked ongoing controversy. Only this time, it wasn’t the 16th-century German monk, but the British shipper in Friday’s $400,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga.

After Luther crossed the wire in second behind odds-on Zulu Kingdom, jockey Joel Rosario claimed foul for interference going into the clubhouse turn. Luther was indeed hampered when Tiz Dashing barged into him. But the responsible party was debatable. 

Rosario implicated Zulu Kingdom, alleging that his rider, Flavien Prat, came over and, as a result, caused Tiz Dashing to impede Luther. Rosario also lodged an objection against Tiz Dashing, the fourth-past-the-post, even though he finished behind Luther.

After a protracted review of the various angles, the stewards found Zulu Kingdom culpable and disqualified him. The 0.85-1 favorite from the Chad Brown barn was demoted to fourth, elevating Luther, the 1.85-1 second choice, to the victory. Clever Again was promoted to second, and Tiz Dashing to third. 

Ironically, Tiz Dashing ended up benefiting from his role in the clubhouse turn fracas. The 20-1 shot appeared to be getting closer to Luther unilaterally underneath Javier Castellano, even before Zulu Kingdom’s arguably minor shift. 

“I’m a bit confused to how we won it, if I’m completely honest,” said Luther’s trainer, Charlie Fellowes, who was watching from home in England. “I don’t know what just happened, but I’m shocked.”

In a further irony, Fellowes had been the victim himself of a controversial disqualification in France back in May. His filly Shes Perfect battled home as an 18-1 outsider in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (G1), only to lose her hard-fought victory in the stewards’ room. 

Fellowes, who lost what could have been a career-defining classic that day, now found his fortunes restored in a similar twist of fate.

“I lost a big race, the biggest of my career, earlier this year when my filly Shes Perfect was demoted from the win in the French Guineas,” Fellowes said, “so I know first-hand it’s not the way you want to win a race. I feel really bad for the connections of the winner, as it’s a bad way to win and a very tough loss for them, but I’m unbelievably proud of my horse and how well he ran.”

Luther did indeed run with admirable courage, as the first turn was just one of his woes during an eventful race. Clipping heels after the break, the Frankel colt was settling into stride at the rear when he was knocked hard by Tiz Dashing. Luther recovered down the backstretch, until Rosario rushed him up the inside, only to run straight into traffic and tap on the brakes. 

Meanwhile, Zulu Kingdom was enjoying a smooth passage on the outside. Rating well off the pace set by Mi Bago through splits of :23.01 and :47.56 on the firm inner turf, Zulu Kingdom advanced through a third-quarter tempo of 1:11.57. The favorite swept past Mi Bago and the stalking Clever Again to take command in the stretch.

Luther wasn’t done yet. Once again regaining momentum, he rallied on the inside, but the sum total of his nightmare was too much to overcome. Luther was still the best of the rest, clear of Clever Again, Tiz Dashing, Mi Bago, and the tailed-off Tank. Maui Strong and Out on Bail were scratched, along with the main-track-only McAfee. 

Zulu Kingdom crossed the wire a handy 1 1/2-length winner. By clocking the mile in 1:35.06, the European import thought he extended his winning streak to four, following scores in the Columbia S. at Tampa Bay Downs, the American Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs, and the Manila (G3) at this course and distance. 

Instead, Zulu Kingdom was handed just his second career loss. His lone defeat on the track came in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar, where he checked in seventh. 

“The trip was good out there, in fact, it wasn’t much going into the first turn,” Prat said. “I think two horses (Luther and Tiz Dashing) were battling for the same spot, and I was the one that took the blame, but I mean, if you just watch the last race on Friday and tell me it wasn’t as bad as that today. 

“I thought I was clear. I had two horses inside of me that were battling for the same spot, and I took the blame.”

New York Racing Association publicity asked Rosario why he thought Zulu Kingdom was the root cause of the incident.

“Javier (Castellano aboard Tiz Dashing) was right there, but going into the turn, I could see he (Zulu Kingdom) came over at that point,” Rosario said. “One little second (longer), if he stayed up, maybe it would be OK."

Paul Hickman and Nicholas Jones’s Luther was given his first graded trophy, improving his record to 9-3-2-1, $434,782. The bay was runner-up to future Grade 1 winner New Century in last summer’s Stonehenge S. at Salisbury before capturing the Ascendant S. at Haydock. 

A close fourth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) (G1), Luther was only 15th in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (G1), but cutting back in trip helped him in his ensuing starts stateside. He placed third in the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Derby (G1) and appreciated reverting to a flat mile here.

Stuart Ritchie, the traveling head lad, was thrilled for his charge.

“Joel was trying to get him up there, and I think he would have got up there, and it got closed once, and then got closed the second time,” Ritchie said. “I think he lost quite a lot of lengths. I think we would have won anyway, because he’s a gutsy horse. You could see him go into the lane, and he was trying so hard to get there. If we didn’t get trouble, I think we would have won anyway. He’s such a big heart. I’m happy.”

“I was watching here from home,” Fellowes said, “and it was difficult to see exactly what happened, but I could see that it was a really messy race, and my fella got carved up a little early on, then rushed up into position. He really ran an unbelievable race to finish second, considering all of that. Had he had a smooth trip, jumped out well, and maintained a position behind the lead, he would have legitimately won it on his own.

“I’m gutted I’m not over there, as they keep telling me how wonderful a place Saratoga is, especially as this might be the biggest—actually, I would have to say it is the biggest—win of my career. To come all the way over there to America and win a Grade 2 at Saratoga for a lot of money is unbelievable.”

Plans call for Luther to return to his Newmarket base, but more international travel could be in his future. 

“I don’t think he’ll stay over there, and it may be best for him to come home now,” Fellowes said. “There’s nothing else for him, really, and we’ll consider races later in the year, like the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) or possibly going down to Australia with him.”

Bred by Coln Valley Stud in Great Britain, Luther sold for about $318,576 as a Tattersalls October yearling. His dam, the Cityscape mare Give and Take, scored her signature win in the 2018 Musidora (G3), and his second dam is a full sister to multiple highweight and five-time Group 1 star Fame and Glory.