Nagirroc going in right direction heading into Breeders' Cup
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The whole point of wheeling Nagirroc back in Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity was to try and earn a berth into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Nov. 4 at Keeneland. That mission was accomplished when Nagirroc ran down Saratoga Flash to win the Futurity by a head in a blanket finish where the top five finishers were separated by a half-length.
He was running in the Futurity just 15 days after he won a maiden race on Sept. 24, his first start for owners Madaket Stables, Little Red Feather Racing, and William Strauss. It was also his first start for trainer Graham Motion.
Motion had said a slow start hampered Nagirroc at Horseshoe Indianapolis in his debut. In his maiden win he led gate to wire. Sunday, he sat just off the pace and was tipped into the clear by Manny Franco and got up in the final jumps.
Nagirroc earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure and will have 26 days to the Breeders’ Cup.
“He gets to rest now,” Motion said.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.