Breeding


Zulu Dragon Gets First Graded Stakes Winner
Zulu Dragon pictured in the winner's circle at Zia Park after winning the Grade 2 James Isaac Hobbs Stakes in 2012.

© Coady Photography
Zulu Dragon Gets First Graded Stakes Winner

SUNLAND PARK, NM—APRIL 25, 2016—Grade 2 winner and first crop sire Zulu Dragon got his first stakes winner on Sunday when his 2-year-old Running Dragon SI 90 won the RG2 $297,925 New Mexican Spring Futurity at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

The victory should propel the young son of all-time leading sire First Down Dash to the top of the Leading First Year Sires list for 2016.

Trainer Juan Gonzalez saddled the Running Dragon to her second win, in as many starts, for owner/breeder By By JJ Limited Partnership. Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, Running Dragon completed the 300 yards in :15.104 seconds to pocket the winner's purse of $140,025. She is out of the Devon Lane (TB) mare Banking Lane.

Running Dragon, under jockey Jose Ortiz, winning the RG2 $297,926 New Mexican Spring Futurity on Sunday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
© Coady Photography
From only three foals to start in his first crop, Zulu Dragon has sired 100% stakes finalists, 2 winners, 1 stakes winner and Average Earnings Per Starter of more than $58,800.

His three performers are the aforementioned Running Dragon SI 90 (2 wins in 2 starts at 2, $145,380, New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2), Cowgirlsalady (Placed at 2, $13,881, finalist New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2), Disco Dragon (Winner at 2, $11,314, finalist New Mexican Spring Futurity-RG2).

Owned and raced by 21 Partnership, Zulu Dragon won or placed in 12 races earning $180,054. He won the Grade 2 James Isaac Hobbs Stakes, RG3 La Plata Stakes and was second on the West Texas Maturity(G2), KOFX-FM Radio Handicap(G3) and Mr Jet Moore Handicap(G3). He was third in the Lovington Stakes (G2) and a finalist in the Zia Park Championship(G1), Hobbs America Derby(G2), The Championship at Sunland Park(G1)-twice, etc.

The son First Down Dash is out of the RG1 New Mexican Spring Futurity winner Hidden Dragon SI 104 ($165,347), by Dean Miracle. She is the dam of 13 ROM including Mountain Top Futurity winner Heza Wild Dragon SI 98 ($238,798), G2 winner Zulu Dragon (see above), All American Futurity(G1) finalist Calif Fugitive SI 96 ($166,400), Ruidoso Futurity(G1) finalist Misty Blue Mercedes SI 95 ($46,758), etc.

The second dam is the multiple stakes producing Thoroughbred mare K. Leigh, by Pathbender. She is dam of 4 ROM including RG1 winner Hidden Dragon (above), stakes-placed Sacker Spin SI 100 ($76,260), stakes-placed Citizen Kane SI 94 ($41,328), RG3 finalist Completed Form SI 94 ($14,328), etc.

This is the family of M Straw (TB), by Jackstraw (TB), the dam or granddam of stakes winners Matching TB ($532,263), Icy Morn TB ($380,668), Crank It Up TB ($37,813). This family has produced such Quarter Horse runners as Champion Florentine SI 108 ($1,123,102), Champion Calyx SI 117 ($164,488), Champion This Snow Is Royal SI 101($553,748), Heritage Place Futurity(G1) winner Givinitaroyaleffort SI 102 ($430,929), Rainbow Futurity(G1) winner Hes Too Icy For Me SI 102 ($378,767), Rainbow Futurity(G1) winner Doing Magic SI 95 ($322,031) and many more.

Zula Dragon's 2016 fee is $6,000. For information or breeding contracts call Ricardo Elias at 614.345.8801 or email rickyelias21@gmail.com.