Woodbine: Next Question connects at 16-1 in Nearactic

Michael Burns

Next Question, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint by winning his stakes debut in the Nearctic.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — The  longshot Next Question punched his ticket to the  Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with a victory in his stakes debut Sunday at Woodbine in the $501,200 Nearctic, a BC Win and You’re in event. 

With Ramon Dominguez up, Next Question raced up front in the two-path beside Bear Tough Tiger. They dueled through moderate fractions in the six-furlong dash, before Next Question edged away to score by a half-length over a closing Night Carnation. Bear Tough Tiger held off favored Big Band Sound for third in the diverse 11-horse field.

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“He’s a horse with a lot of natural speed, and I knew he would be forwardly placed,” said Dominguez. “I wanted to stalk [Bear Tough Tiger], but my horse was really pulling and taking me forward, so I decided to keep him together. I was very happy with how he relaxed. Turning for home, he gave me a pretty good kick.”

Over  good  ground, Next Question covered the distance in 1:09.32, and returned $34.10 in the Grade 1 stakes. Based in Maryland with trainer Mike Trombetta, he banked $300,000 for Three Diamonds Farm. 

Last year’s Nearctic winner, Regally Ready, went on to capture the BC Turf Sprint at Churchill. This year’s BC Turf sprint will be run Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.