Nakatomi (inside) overhauled Durante in deep stretch to prevail by a neck. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Punched ticket to $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The third time was the charm for Nakatomi in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix as he overhauled Durante in deep stretch to prevail by a neck.
Runner-up in the race the past two years, Nakatomi earned a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 1.
Trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Nakatomi completed the 6 furlongs on a fast main track in 1:09.93.
Durante took the lead out of the gate but was quickly overtaken by Skelly, who led the field of six through fractions of :22.19 and :45.08 as Nakatomi raced at the rear of the field. Durante took over at the three-sixteenths pole while Nakatomi was beginning his rally widest of all that propelled him to the front at the wire.
A Keeneland sales graduate, Nakatomi is a 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelded son of Firing Line out of the Flatter mare Applelicious. Now a two-time graded stakes winner, Nakatomi improved his record to 24-7-4-7 and increased his earnings to $1,970,926.
Sent off as the favorite, Nakatomi returned $5.20, $4.16 and $2.92. Durante, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $11.92 and $6.72 and finished 3 lengths in front of Whatchatalkinabout, who paid $4.40 to show under Emisael Jaramillo.
It was another neck back to Here Mi Song with World Record and Skelly following in order.
Racing continues on Fall Stars Saturday with an 11-race program beginning at 1 p.m. ET and featuring five graded stakes, three of them Grade 1s.
Quotes from the $400,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) at Keeneland
Wesley Ward (trainer of winner Nakatomi and third-place finisher Whatchatalkinabout): “This is his (Nakatomi’s) home court. That’s what I’ve been saying about him. By the end of this week, he knew he was running. You could just tell the change in his demeanor. He was kind of on his toes, bouncing around — he’s 6 but he was acting like he’s 3. It was good to have him come through on the big stage here at Keeneland on a big day. (Jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) rode a great race. I think the key to keeping these (older horses), having a little longevity, is they go over to Fergus Galvin’s farm, and actually his daughter rides him before he comes in, so that makes this even more special.”
On whether Nakatomi will go to the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1): “Absolutely.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (winning rider): “It was perfect. He broke good, much better than last time I rode him at Saratoga (when third in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt-G2 July 19), so I was happy with that. I didn’t want to use him early. I think he’s the kind of horse that likes to have a target. I just bided my time from there. (Trainer) Wesley (Ward) told me to do whatever I think, so I went with the flow. There was a good pace in front of me, and I didn’t want to chase anybody. I rode my horse, and he was there for me in the end.”
Fergus Galvin (representing winning co-owner Qatar Racing): “It’s incredible, really. (Trainer) Wesley (Ward) and his team have done an amazing job. I mean, he’s a 6-year-old, and you have in the back of your mind if he’s maybe losing a step or two, but Wesley had him at concert pitch today. (Jockey) Irad (Ortiz Jr.) gave him a fantastic ride, unbelievable. On behalf of Sheikh Fahad (Al Thani of Qatar Racing) and Jim and (co-owner Mrs.) Fitri Hay, just a big thanks to Wesley and his crew. They’re over the moon, they really are.”
David Jacobson (owner-trainer of runner-up Durante): “I’m very happy. He’s like 20-1 and nobody had any confidence, but I did.”
“(The Breeders’ Cup) is always a thought.”
Tyler Gaffalione (rider of Durante): “He ran so good it’s a shame we weren’t able to get the job done. No fault of his own. He broke alertly, put himself in the game, traveled great throughout, and he really fired home for us. Hats off to the winner.”
