Gulfstream Park: No Nay Never moves ahead after first career loss

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Wesley Ward acknowledged his frustration after his previously undefeated No Nay Never suffered his first defeat when finishing second behind the late-running Spot as the odds-on favorite in Saturday’s Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream.

“I was really disappointed that he got beat,” Ward said. “There are a lot of variables that you think you could have done differently, but after the fact, the end result is what it is. I just hold this horse in such high regard, I thought he’d go down there in 1:21 and change even after a 44-and-change half-mile.

“He did spring a shoe. It probably happened the first jump after the break, and Javier [Castellano] thought he might have pulled himself up a bit after making the lead. But that’s not much of an excuse. The good thing is, he came out of the race great, so we’ll just stick to our original plan, which is to bring him back to Royal Ascot for the Jersey Stakes this spring.”

Ward also is preparing for what he expects to be another successful spring with his 2-year-olds. His latest crop is in training at Palm Meadows and Gulfstream, where he breezed several sets of babies Sunday.

“This is by far the best group of 2-year-olds I’ve ever had,” said Ward, who annually dominates the juvenile races during the Keeneland spring meeting. “And I’m hoping they’ll throw up a couple of baby races at the end of this meet. I’d love to be able to run my Florida-breds here.”

But Ward’s main goal will be heading back to Keeneland next month with the cream of the crop.

“I’ve really got some nice babies,” Ward said. “I’ve got a great-looking Munnings colt called Sir Alfred owned by Jake Ballis and Rashard Lewis and another Munnings for Coolmore out of Circle of Love who is very talented. I also have one by Lookin At Lucky out of my mare One Hot Wish, named Asia, who is a half to Pablo Del Monte and is very fast.”