Acapulco getting rest of year off

Acapulco, the 2-year-old filly who was second against older horses in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse in England on Aug. 21, will be rested for the remainder of the year.

Acapulco will resume racing in early 2016 with the goal of starting in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot next June, trainer Wesley Ward said on Saturday. Ward cited the absence of top-class races for turf sprinters in the United States in the coming months as the principal reason not to run Acapulco for the rest of the year.

“Essentially, she’s a turf sprinter,” he said.

Owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, Acapulco has one win in three starts – the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. By Scat Daddy, Acapulco was third in a maiden race at Churchill Downs before the start at Ascot. She was based in the United States in the summer before being sent to York.

In the Nunthorpe Stakes at five furlongs, Acapulco was the only 2-year-old in a field of 20. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Acapulco was the 13-8 favorite. She led to the final 50 yards before finishing second by two lengths to the four-time stakes winner Mecca’s Angel.

Ward said he would like to give Acapulco one or two prep races before the King’s Stand, which is run over a straightaway five furlongs.