With a new Stakes Winner’s Circle Keneland To welcome him, a third attempt proved the charm at the Phoenix Stakes (G2) Nakatomi October 3.
After longshot During the day Nakatomi opened a clear lead in the MidStreet in the 6-Furlong test for 3-year-olds and older, thought his best late to collect from the last six early. The 6-year-old Shooting line Ruin focused Durante with a neck at the wire in the $ 390.125 race to achieve the third bets of his career.
The winning effort followed in the second place of Nakatomi in the 2024 and 2023 editions of the Phoenix.
“I will tell you, this is a race that I have desired for a long time,” said trainer Wesley Ward, who is located in Keeneland. “It is a sprintrace that was mainly the focus of most of my career. We have tried to get it done and to have it, to finally have it, it’s just gratifying.”
Ward spoke from the new Stakes Winner’s Circle in Keeneland, which is located next to the paddock and was once used as the “Rider’s Up” area. Nakatomi was the first horse to use the circle of the new winner.
Register for Bloodhorse Daily
View: Ward says that Nakatomi is in top shape again
The Phoenix is a Breeders ‘Cup Challenge series: Win and you you in Race, which offers a reimbursement in the $ 2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), also a 6-Furlong test.
Nakatomi, a winner of grade 1, followed that second place in Phoenix with a third place in the Sprint 2023 and a sixth place in last year’s sprint. Ward is looking forward to introducing the sprint of a victory in the Phoenix this year.
“Go there to del Mar with that short piece that they have, it will take a quick early pace in advance and he will have to come running. So everything will have to fall our way,” Ward said. “But the horse feels good and is doing well. With a parent, seasoned, healthy horse like him; hopefully we are lucky.”
Nakatomi campaigned by Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay and improved his income to more than $ 1.97 million.
Nakatomi and his connections in the circle of the winner after the Phoenix Stakes in Keeneland
Racing under several Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr., Nakatomi rated the last by a turbulent opening quarter-mile as the fast Skelly Don’t break well from post 3 when he bumped at the beginning and steadily while Durante broke well along the rail. Skelly and Jockey Luis Saez ran inside to protect the lead by a quarter of miles in: 22.19.
Skelly would open an advantage of 2 length for half a mile in: 45.08 before fading. Owned by and trained by David Jacobson, Durante ran steadily in and bounced to open a 2-length advantage in the Middenstraat after the early leader had thrown the towel into the towel. Nakatomi, who had moved in third place in third place, continued his meeting to the thread. Whatchatalkinabout Also trained by Ward, collected to finish third, 3 lengths behind Durante.
“He was beaten today by a little better horse,” said Jacobson.
Jacobson, who said a few steps that he thought his runner had the victory, said he will consider the Breeders’ cup sprint for Durante. Ward said he hopes that whatchatalkinabout can crack the sprint field.
The current owners of the winner went to $ 205,000 on the 2023 phasig-tipton Kentucky July horses from Racing Age Sale to buy Nakatomi, sent by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.
Video: Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S. (G2)
#Nakatomi #rallies #victory #Phoenix #Stakes