Zulu Kingdom, trained by Chad Brown, and Cavallo Bay, trained by Charlie Appleby, are set to lead a strong field in the upcoming With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 29. While European imports are common in turf stakes for older horses, it’s rare to see them in juvenile summer stakes like this one.
Two of the nine entrants in the $175,000, 1 1/16-mile turf race—Zulu Kingdom and Cavallo Bay—bring exclusively overseas experience. Zulu Kingdom debuted with a win at Saint-Cloud in France for trainer Andre Fabre and now joins Chad Brown’s U.S. stable, owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Bill Strauss, and Michael Caruso. Cavallo Bay has claimed two wins in Britain after a debut fifth-place finish for British trainer Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, who also campaigns for a division in the U.S.
Brown expressed satisfaction with how Zulu Kingdom, an Irish-bred son of Ten Sovereigns, has adjusted to his training program this summer. "He fits into our program, and he's ready to run," Brown said. Flavien Prat is set to ride Zulu Kingdom, while Dylan Davis will be aboard Cavallo Bay.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has entered two turf runners as he aims for a record-extending seventh victory in the With Anticipation. His entries include the maiden Nudge and the main-track maiden winner Tenacious Leader, though the latter may scratch in favour of the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile on Sept. 8.
The field also includes two main-track-only entrants, notably the flashy debut winner Uncaged, another Pletcher trainee.