Irish G1 winners Zhukova, The Grey Gatsby arrive at Belmont Park
by NYRA Press Office
John D. Murrell's Zhukova, who beat males by six lengths in the Grade 1 Man o' War on May 13, arrived in New York Tuesday morning for a return engagement at Belmont Park for top Irish trainer Dermot Weld, along with her stablemate, Frank Gillespie's two-time Group 1 winner The Grey Gatsby.
The pair flew from Shannon Airport in Ireland to John F. Kennedy International Airport and arrived at the Belmont quarantine barn by van at 11 a.m., accompanied by their groom Caroline Cashman.
Zhukova, a 5-year-old Irish-bred mare by Fastnet Rock, is nominated for both the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic against males this Saturday and the Grade 1, $500,000 Flower Bowl for fillies and mares on Sunday, October 8. The Grey Gatsby, a 6-year-old son of Mastercraftsman, is also nominated to the Joe Hirsch, a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Cashman said Zhukova and The Grey Gatsby handled the 6 ½-hour journey with aplomb.
"The trip went very good," she said. "No problems at all."
Both horses are likely to train Thursday morning, following standard quarantine clearance.
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