Change of Equipment Makes the Difference for Papa Zulu Sunday
Change of Equipment Makes the Difference for Papa Zulu Sunday
Leading Trainer Gonzalez Registers 500th Career Victory
Live Racing Returns with 10-Race Card Friday, Sept. 21
LAUREL, MD – Gunpowder Farms’ Papa Zulu, racing with blinkers for the first time, came with a sweeping move on the far outside and outdueled 2017 Maryland Million Classic winner Bonus Points through the stretch for a thrilling nose victory in Sunday’s featured ninth race at Laurel Park.
Sent off at 7-1, the second-longest shot in a field of five, Papa Zulu ($17.40) ran one mile over a fast main track in 1:34.83, just .43 off the course record of 1:34.40 set by Skipper’s Friend Dec. 6, 1980.
“I am proud of him. I’ve always liked this horse. I’m glad to see he had a great day today,” winning trainer Kelly Rubley said. “I’ve been trying a lot of things with this horse. The blinkers certainly helped today, so we’ll see if that doesn’t keep moving us forward.”
Papa Zulu, a 5-year-old son of Broken Vow making his 21st career start in the third-level $47,000 optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up, was unhurried early in last as 23-time winner Twocubanbrothersu posted fractions of 23.94 and 46.98 seconds, chased by Chief of Staff and multiple stakes winner John Jones.
Jockey Jevian Toledo gave Papa Zulu his cue rounding the far turn and he ranged up on Bonus Points, who forged a short advantage at the top of the stretch. The two leaders straightened for home together after going six furlongs in 1:11.43. Bonus Points, on the inside, gained a slight edge in the final sixteenth but Papa Zulu responded to Toledo’s left-handed urging and surged late to get up at the wire.
“The stretch drive was great. I was getting a little nervous there at the sixteenth pole but as soon as he switched sticks, Papa came back on,” Rubley said. “Impressive.”
It was the fourth career win and second in nine tries this year for Papa Zulu, who joined Rubley’s Fair Hill, Md.-based string last fall. Toledo rode him to a sixth-place finish in the first start for his new connections, his previous time aboard.
“The horse ran great. Kelly told me she put blinkers on him for the first time and he was more aggressive. When I asked him, he just took off and gave me everything he had,” Toledo said. “He always stays in the back and makes one move. Before he was a little lazy; you’ve got to keep him busy.
“We tried the blinkers today and it made a big difference. He carried me and he was very nice to ride,” he added. “He looked like he was hanging in the last sixteenth, but as soon as I switched my whip and hit him a couple times with the left hand he came back again.”
Bonus Points was a clear second, six lengths ahead of Glory Stars. They were followed by Twocubanbrothersu, John Jones and Chief of Staff.
Notes: Jockey Julian Pimentel visited the winner’s circle twice Sunday, aboard Enjay’s Bass ($24.20) in the second race and Sarah’s Treasure ($15.20) in the eighth … Super C Racing Inc.’s Sarah’s Treasure, a 5-year-old Eskendereya mare, was the 500th career winner for Claudio Gonzalez, Maryland’s leading trainer of 2017 … Live racing returns to Laurel Park with a 10-race program Friday, Sept. 21. First race post time is 1:10 p.m.
