Zulu Kingdom looks for more Keeneland success in Turf Mile

Zulu Kingdom returns to the site of his signature victory on Saturday when he lines up for the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland. The Turf Mile is one of five stakes on the card, three of which are Breeders’ Cup Challenge preps.

When last seen in Lexington, in April, Zulu Kingdom landed the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) following an eight-month layoff, defeating 2025 Coolmore Turf Mile winner Rhetorical and an unlucky Notable Speech, the reigning turf champion and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner. Zulu Kingdom’s form since then has been mixed, with a score in the Kelso (G3) book-ended by thirds in the Poker (G3) and Fourstardave (G1).

Rhetorical’s subsequent form has also been mixed. The son of Not This Time went on to impressively capture the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs but was less effective when finishing fourth in the Manhattan (G1) and Fourstardave.

Other notables in the Breeders’ Cup Mile prep are the three-year-old Title Role, who landed the German 2000 Guineas (G2) and Belmont Derby (G1) prior to a third-place run in the Saratoga Derby (G1), and Group 2 scorer Lake Forest, most recently second to Notable Speech in the City of York (G1).

Coach Pope, who split Champagne (G1) contenders Gaudreau and U. S. S. Valor on debut before handsomely beating maiden foes by more than nine lengths at Churchill Downs, looms a serious threat in the $650,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at 1 1/16 miles.

Also in the lineup are Q B Rocket and American History, both of whom graduated at first asking during the Saratoga meet, and Del Mar Futurity (G1) runner-up Phone Booth.

The Breeders’ Futurity is a track-and-distance Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Oct. 30 Juvenile (G1), as well as a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep with qualifying points of 10-5-3-2-1 going to the respective top five finishers.

The $800,000 First Lady (G1), for fillies and mares over one mile on the turf, includes the Just a Game (G1) top three of Classic Q, Mandanaba, and Segesta. Expensive Queen is 2-for-2 over Keeneland’s turf, including a dead-heat score with Segesta in the April 11 Jenny Wiley (G1) when last seen. Lush Lips, heroine of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland last October, was second in her Aug. 23 comeback following a six-month spell.

Eclatant, narrow winner of the Madison (G1) and Chicago (G2) earlier this season, figures to be a solid favorite in the $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G1), a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Filly & Mare Sprint. Eclatant shortens up to six furlongs for the TCA after throwing a dud in the Ballerina (G1) in late August. 

Among the leading contenders in the $400,000 Woodford (G2), a 5 1/2-furlong turf dash for older horses, are Shakertown (G2) winner My Boy Prince, Doncho, and Joe Shiesty.