Easy Gander win sends Nicky the Vest to Gotham or Wood

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Nicky the Vest, the 11 3/4-length winner of Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds, will most likely get a stakes start against open company in his next start.

Whether that start is in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 6 or the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 3 remains to be seen.

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Trainer Jonathan Thomas said Monday that Nicky the Vest was in good order following his romp in the Gander, for which he earned an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. That was the same number he earned for his maiden victory, also going a one-turn mile here on Dec. 18.

The Gander victory came 58 days after his maiden victory, and there are 48 days between the Gander and Wood.

“I love how he developed over the last 60 days,” Thomas said Monday at his Belmont barn. “Whether he needs that kind of time frame to get him ready, they’ll determine that for you. Obviously, the timing is very good and the Wood is such a great race in its own right.”

The Wood is run at 1 1/8 miles. The way Nicky the Vest galloped out after his maiden win gave Thomas the impression that going another furlong wouldn’t be an issue. Jockey Kendrick Carmouche had Nicky the Vest geared down coming to the wire in the Gander, so his gallop-out was less impressive.

“The first time it looked like he was just getting into gear later in the race,” Thomas said.

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How easily Nicky the Vest sat just off an easy pace set by Lobsta in the Gander “shows he has the mental disposition to stretch out,” Thomas said.

Nicky the Vest is a son of Runhappy owned by Robert LaPenta.