Bound for Nowhere handles stretch-out in Tourist Mile

FRANKLIN, Ky. – After finishing third in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June, Bound for Nowhere was long intended for the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs – that is, until owner-trainer Wesley Ward began second-guessing himself about the colt’s ability to get the distance.

“Julio had to talk me into it,” Ward said Saturday after Bound for Nowhere, ridden by Julio Garcia, proved best in the $681,400 Tourist Mile, the richest of four stakes on the opening-day card at turf-only Kentucky Downs. “He’s gotten on the horse every day for the last three years, and he said he knew he’d get the mile. He was right.”

After tracking longshot Great Wide Open to the top of the stretch, Bound for Nowhere took over, finishing the mile in 1:40.97 over a firm course and returning $5.60 as second choice in a field of seven older horses.

“He ran a perfect race,” said Garcia, who works as an exercise rider for the Ward stable aside from riding some races.

Great Wide Open held second, a length behind the winner and another 1 1/4 lengths before the 6-5 favorite, Mr. Misunderstood.

Bound for Nowhere failed to win in three overseas races, all Group 1 events, but now is unbeaten in five U.S. starts, with his lone graded victory coming in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland in April. The bay son of The Factor earned $455,700 with by far his richest win and now likely runs next in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile on Oct. 6 at Keeneland, said Ward.

“He’s a great horse, very talented,” he said. “I’m blessed to have him.”

On Leave wins One Dreamer

One race earlier, On Leave held off a trio of challengers in deep stretch to capture the $239,875 One Dreamer for fillies and mares that had not won a stakes in 2018.

Ridden by Florent Geroux, On Leave paid $5 as favorite in a field of 10 after finishing a mile and 70 yards in 1:45.79. I Remember Mama was second, a half-length behind the winner and another head before Last Promise Kept.

Prado’s Sweet Ride, the 3-1 second choice, took a bad step leaving the gate and was immediately pulled up by Julien Leparoux. The Illinois-bred mare was vanned off in the equine ambulance as a precautionary measure but was subsequently reported by trainer Chris Block as not seriously injured.

Trained by Shug McGaughey for owner-breeder Stuart Janney, On Leave was wearing blinkers for the first time in 19 career starts. The gray 5-year-old mare now has won eight races and $1,155,470, with her top career triumph remaining the Grade 2 Sands Point in September 2016.

► Purses at the five-day Kentucky Downs meet are projected to average nearly $2 million a day. Remaining dates are Sept. 6, 8, 9, and 13.