Sumaya U.S. Stable's Aktulgali became the first winner for Castleton Lyons stallion Protonico when the 2-year-old scored by a neck in a $31,000 maiden special weight Sept. 17 at Indiana Grand Race Course.
Making his second start for trainer Brendan Walsh, Aktulgali broke sharply in Thursday's field under jockey Deshawn Parker before settling in midpack. Running just off the rail, the colt dropped back even further along the backside and was sixth, two lengths behind leader Brew Pub's opening half-mile in :48.50.
Still tucked in toward the rail entering the far turn, Aktulgali cut a path down the inside and came into contention leaving the turn. Forging ahead, the colt got up to take command by a length at the top of the stretch.
Good First, who prompted the pace for much of the race, fought back against Aktulgali in the stretch and slowly chipped away at the colt's lead in the final furlong. Driving home under Parker, Aktulgali ($3.40) was able to eke out the win. His time for the one mile and 70 yards was 1:45.76.
Bred in Kentucky by Sumaya's International Equities Holding, Aktulgali is out of the stakes-winning More Than Ready mare Audacious Chloe. He is one of four winners from his dam from five foals of racing age.
The colt finished second in his Aug. 22 debut at Ellis Park and his juvenile earnings come to $27,840.
Protonico was bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding and campaigned by Sumaya and trainer Todd Pletcher through 16 starts. A son of Giant's Causeway—Alpha Spirit (by A.P. Indy), Protonico earned stakes victories in the Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) and Discovery Handicap (G3) at 3 and the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) and Alysheba Stakes (G2) at 4. The stallion retired to stud in 2016 with a 7-1-2 record and $997,587 in earnings.
Protonico stood for a fee of $5,000 during the 2020 breeding season.
