Bound for Nowhere looking strong at age 7 in Jaipur Stakes
Patience has paid dividends for Bound for Nowhere, the morning-line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Jaipur at six furlongs on Belmont Park’s inner turf course.
“He’s gone through minor little issues,” owner-trainer Wesley Ward said. “Instead of giving whatever the veterinarian’s advice was, say 60 days, I’d give him five months instead of two months. It’s added longevity to his career.”
Bound for Nowhere, a son of The Factor, enters the Jaipur after a win in the Grade 2 Shakertown. Normally quick from the stalls, Bound for Nowhere rallied from off the pace. Ward gave jockey Joel Rosario credit.
“He’s had some issues with the gate as far as loading,” Ward said. “He loaded early and was a perfect gentleman. He was in there for quite some time, so he broke slow. Joel took a hold of him and got him to rate really nice, which I think adds another dimension to the horse.”
Ward has been impressed with Bound for Nowhere’s training.
:: Bet the Belmont Stakes on DRF Bets! Join today with code DOUBLE and get a $250 Bonus.
“He’s never been one to put a lot into his works. For whatever reason this year, he’s turned it around,” he said. “When you see his breezes, they’re eye-openers. He’s sounder at 7 than he’s been since he was 2 or 3. He doesn’t have any issues, and that’s one of the reasons he’s working so well.”
Bound for Nowhere leads a strong field of 12 in the Jaipur, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint this November at Del Mar.
Fast Boat, winner of the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill, blossomed in his last two starts for trainer Joe Sharp.
“He just didn’t like the Fair Grounds turf course this winter,” Sharp said. “I think there was a touch too much give in the ground for him down there.”
Fast Boat’s versatility should come in handy in a race seemingly devoid of much speed.
“I think he has more finish when he’s able to sit back,” Sharp said. “That being said, his best number came when he sat the pocket trip at Churchill last summer.”
The popular Got Stormy turns back in distance and faces males following a fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile, her first race in 63 days.
“I thought it was kind of dull,” trainer Mark Casse remarked. “She likes to run, and I think after she gets a little too much time between races, that probably hurt her a little.”
Got Stormy ran well last year when cut back to sprints.
“It was something we always suspected that she would like,” Casse said. “I think she’s a little sharper coming into this than she was her last, but with her, sometimes you just don’t know what you’re going to get.”
Gregorian Chant ships in from Southern California following three consecutive sprint scores. He looms an interesting price play along with Bill Mott’s Casa Creed. A Grade 2 winner at a mile, Casa Creed cut back successfully in the seven-furlong Elusive Quality.
Mott also sends out Chewing Gum, a Grade 3-placed turf sprinter. Multiple stakes winner Completed Pass, 2020 Jaipur winner Oleksandra, graded winners Stubbins and Sombeyay, and Greyes Creek complete the field. Secret Rules was entered for main track only.