Zulu Kingdom knows his way around Keeneland. José Ortiz has about eight seconds after the gates open Saturday for the $250,000 Coolmore Turf Mile (G1) to figure out how they’re going to get there.
The 4-year-old already owns a Grade 1 victory over the course, having taken the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) from start to finish in the spring. But when he attempts to become only the third horse this century to sweep Keeneland’s spring and fall Grade 1 turf miles in the same season, Zulu Kingdom will leave from post 9 with a new rider — and with no guarantee that the trip that worked in the spring will be available again.
The other horses who swept the races were Wise Dan in 2014 and Miss Temple City in 2016. Carl Spackler won the two races across two seasons, the fall of 2024 and the spring of 2025.
The Coolmore Turf Mile is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In’’ race to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) over the same Keeneland track on Oct. 31.
Chad Brown, who has a record 31 Grade 1 wins at Keeneland, believes Zulu Kingdom is well prepared for the test.
“As for Zulu Kingdom, he’s shown a fondness [for the track] too, and that’s one reason we circled this race.”
The outside post is not ideal, and Ortiz will be aboard for the first time. Regular jockey Flavien Prat is riding at Belmont Park this weekend.
“He drew widest of everyone, and he’s going to have to get acquainted with a new rider. So, got some things to overcome, but the horse is training very well.”
At 3-1 on the morning line, he’s the second choice behind last year’s winner Rhetorical, the 2-1 favorite despite a pair of recent fourth-place finishes, in the Manhattan Stakes (G1) and the Fourstardave Stakes (G1), both at Saratoga [Zulu Kingdom was third in the Fourstardave]. He also ran third behind Zulu Kingdom in the Maker’s Mark Mile but rebounded in his next outing with a win in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Zulu Kingdom’s tactical versatility is the key handicapping point: he won the spring Mile on the front end but has also won stakes from fourth or fifth and from as much as five lengths back.
The field does not look overloaded with need-the-lead speed, and that could be a help to Zulu Kingdom settle in from his outside post.
Pass the Hat (8-1) is the most likely pace-setter, and under Junior Alvarado, Kupuna (15-1) could also be on or near the lead.
Rhetorical, with six wins in 11 starts for trainer Will Waldeon, has an ideal stalking style and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. Brilliant Berti, at 6-1 for trainer Cherie DeVaux, could make things interesting with a strong closing run. And finally, keep England-bred Lake Forest (4-1) on your radar. A deep closer trained by William Haggas, the 5-year-old gelding has earned nearly $4.7 million with five wins and six seconds in 20 career starts.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Title Role | John Velazquez | Brendan Walsh | 12-1 |
| 2 | Brilliant Berti | Brian Hernandez, Jr. | Cherie DeVaux | 6-1 |
| 3 | Rhetorical | Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Will Walden | 2-1 |
| 4 | Mercante | Umberto Rispoli | Brian Knippenberg | 15-1 |
| 5 | Pass the Hat | Junior Alvarado | Bill Mott | 8-1 |
| 6 | Plensa | Axel Concepcion | Rusty Arnold | 30-1 |
| 7 | Lake Forest | Cieren Fallon | William Haggas | 4-1 |
| 8 | Kupuna | Tyler Gaffalione | Norm Casse | 15-1 |
| 9 | Zulu Kingdom | Jose Ortiz | Chad Brown | 3-1 |
Last Updated on 10/01/2026
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
