Lord Nelson 'could take shot at Saratoga,' trainer says

ARCADIA, Calif. - Lord Nelson will remain a one-turn specialist this summer following his sharp win in Saturday’s $301,035 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita.

Sunday, trainer Bob Baffert was considering races at Del Mar, such as the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs on July 31, or the $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs on Aug. 27, for Lord Nelson. Baffert did not rule out a race at Saratoga this summer. The top seven-furlong sprint at Saratoga is the $700,000 Forego Stakes on Aug. 27.

“I could take a shot at Saratoga,” Baffert said.

Lord Nelson won the first Grade 1 race of his career in the Triple Bend Stakes in his 11th start. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Lord Nelson ($6.20) raced within a length of pacesetter Subtle Indian and won by a half-length over that rival with a sustained bid in the final furlong of the seven-furlong race.

“It was exciting to see him run like that,” Baffert said.

Lord Nelson gave Baffert his first Grade 1 win of 2016. For owner B. Wayne Hughes, the Triple Bend was his second Grade 1 win of the month at Santa Anita. Beholder, a three-time champion, won the Grade 1 Vanity Mile for Hughes on June 4.

Hughes, racing as Spendthrift Farm, purchased Lord Nelson as a long-term stallion prospect earlier this year. A 4-year-old colt by Pulpit, Lord Nelson is unbeaten in two starts for Hughes, including an optional claimer at six furlongs here on June 3.