Following Brutal Injury, Equestrian Icon Echo Zulu Drops From Among Top Spots in Recent Poll

With the equestrian world high on excitement always, the equines and their trainers await a path-breaking moment. Winning multiple top-level Grade 1, 2, or 3 races is the dream for every racehorse, but few can achieve such feats. One young star has outshone her competitors with ease so far; but the 4-year-old Thoroughbred, now ranked 8th, blames a recent injury for her drop in the standings.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association conducts the Top Thoroughbred poll while nominating horses for the Horse of the Year title. The poll highlights the leading contenders for Horse of the Year honors. Voting for the poll concludes on Tuesday, November 7th, after the Breeders’ Cup World Championships – the climax of the racing season that helps determine the year’s champions.

Echo Zulu’s Injury Shakes Up Top Thoroughbred Rankings

While training for 4th November’s event, Echo Zulu saw her equine dreams crash. Hoping to compete at the Breeders’ Cup: Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita, the 4-year-old filly dropped from third to eighth rank after sustaining a career-ending injury while training. According to BloodHorse.com, the 4-year-old underwent surgery on October 14th to repair a sesamoid fracture.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Echo Zulu compiled an impressive 9-1-1 record in 11 starts for owners L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds, earning over $2.6 million.

With Echo Zulu sidelined, Todd Pletcher’s turf star Up to the Mark climbed two spots to third in the poll. The Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable runner is 5-for-6 this year after a dramatic win in the October 7th Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland, his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. He passed reigning champion sprinter Elite Power to take over third behind Belmont and Travers winner Arcangelo.

Equestrian dreams on hold: lengthy recovery after surgery

Echo Zulu underwent surgery, performed by Dr. Ryan Carpenter, to stabilize the injury. According to Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, the procedure will require months of recovery time. “The surgery went well, as well as expected,” Blasi said. “It’s a one-day-at-a-time situation. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself.”

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“We’ll keep her happy and quiet, and hopefully she can try to sleep as much as she has.” Blasi said that Echo Zulu has been able to lie down and rise to her feet without difficulty since the injury occurred. The injury is considered severe, with adequate circulation to the affected leg as “the biggest concern,” Blasi said.

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