Lord Nelson comes back at age 10

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Anyone looking at Lord Nelson would be surprised to find out that the classy gelding is 10 years old. His coat couldn't look any healthier, and he still acts like a much younger horse. Despite his advanced age, he appears to be a standout in the feature race at Hastings on Saturday, a no-condition allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs that drew seven older horses.

Trained by Dino Condilenios, Lord Nelson has won 14 stakes races at Hastings and has earned $663,941. In his last start, he lost by a nose to Notis Otis in the B.C. Cup Sprint last August.

Condilenios wasn't sure what to expect from Lord Nelson in his first start this year.

"Clearly he's not the same horse he used to be," he said. "But, he's training very well and we'll just let the chips fall as they may."

Although Lord Nelson just missed winning the B.C. Cup Sprint last year, Condilenios said he wasn't pointing Lord Nelson to any particular race this year.

"We're just going to take it one race at a time," he said.

Lord Nelson looked very sharp working four furlongs in 48.80 seconds June 9 with his regular rider Frank Fuentes aboard.

Bound to Be M V P is looking for his first win since he won the Ladnesian Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2005. A 4-year-old Washington-bred, Bound to Be M V P forced the pace before fading to finish fourth behind True Metropolitan in the George Royal Stakes on May 5. He looks like the main threat to Lord Nelson.