Echo Zulu, who had been recovering since fracturing her sesamoid during a workout on Oct. 13, was euthanized Sunday after injuring her leg in a stall accident.
Echo Zulu became cast in her stall and injured her leg while attempting to get back on her feet, according to a report from Steve Andersen of Daily Racing Form. Michael Levinson, racing manager for co-owner L and N Racing, confirmed her passing in a Monday afternoon post on X.
Echo Zulu had been recovering at Chino Valley Equine Hospital in California since the week after her injury.
A daughter of Gun Runner out of the Menifee mare Letgomyecho, Echo Zulu had a 11: 9-1-0 career record and over $2.6 million in earnings. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she spent all three seasons of her career running at the top level.
She was named champion juvenile filly of 2021 after wins in the Spinaway (G1), Frizette (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She was defeated for the first time in her career in the 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1), in which she finished fourth behind Secret Oath.
Turning back to sprint distances afterward made her even more of a star.
In September 2022, she cut back to one turn for the Dogwood (G3), a commanding victory that primed her for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. In that race, she finished second to eventual sprint champion Goodnight Olive.
As a 4-year-old, Echo Zulu was perfect in three starts, all at one-turn trips. She began her season in the Winning Colors (G3), which she won by 5 3/4 lengths over Fire On Time. She won the Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga even more easily, defeating Dr B by 7 1/4 lengths.
In what would be her final race, the Ballerina (G1), she won her rematch with Goodnight Olive, disputing the pace with that older foe before clearing off to win by 2 1/2 lengths. She was preparing for a rematch with Goodnight Olive in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint when she was injured.
