Qualifies for Kentucky Derby
Echo Zulu (1-9) picked up where she left off nearly five months ago – but not without facing the toughest test of her undefeated career.
Showing the form that won her a championship in 2021, the Gun Runner filly led from gate to wire in her 3-year-old debut Saturday, holding off a valiant challenge in the stretch by Hidden Connection (9-1) to win by a nose in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks.
Now 5-for-5, Echo Zulu qualified for the May 6 running of the Kentucky Oaks, where she figures to be favored for the fifth time in a row.
Owned by L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden for the second time by Joel Rosario, Echo Zulu won the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:42.69 over a fast main track in New Orleans. Early fractions were 23.79, 47.68, 1:11.70 and 1:36.23.
Hidden Connection (9-1) was second, followed by Favor (12-1) in third and Turnerloose (8-1) fourth in the field of six.
