Nagirroc takes Futurity, gains berth in BC Juvenile Turf Sprint
OZONE PARK, N.Y. _ A short turnaround proved not to be a problem for Nagirroc, who ran down Gaslight Dancer and Vacation Dance to win Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity Stakes at Aqueduct by a neck and earn a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint next month at Keeneland.
Running back 15 days after winning a maiden race here on the front end, Nagirroc came from just off the pace Sunday under Manny Franco to get the victory in a race in which the top five finishers were separated by a half-length.
Trainer Graham Motion was confident Nagirroc didn’t have to be on the front end and Franco didn’t want to use his horse too soon, owing to the short turnaround.
Franco had Nagirroc in third, just behind Vacation Dance and Gaslight Dancer, who duked it out through a quarter in 22.09 seconds and a half-mile in 44.78.
Turning for home, Franco was able to get Nagirroc off the inside and into the clear. He had to work to get past a stubborn Gaslight Dancer who, under Irad Ortiz Jr., had surrendered and then regained the lead, from Vacation Dance. Gaslight Dancer, the 8-5 favorite, got second by a head over Vacation Dance, who was a head better than Inflation Nation, who nosed out Dunedin for fourth.
Determined Jester and Power Attack completed the order of finish. Bourbon Therapy scratched.
“I think he’s a smart horse, he doesn’t have to be on the lead,” said Franco, who rode Nagirroc to his maiden victory here on Sept. 24. “There was more speed today, I don’t want my horse, coming from that short [turnaround] to hook up in a speed duel. I want to give him a chance behind the horses and it set up perfect for me.”
Nagirroc, a son of Lea owned by Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables and William Straus, covered the six furlongs in 1:09.36 over turf labeled firm and returned $9.20 as the third choice. He earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He gave him a beautiful ride,” Motion said. “The only thing we said was we didn’t think he had to be on the lead. He’s a very cool horse, very classy, classy beyond his years for such a young horse.”
The Futurity is a “Win and You’re In” race for the $1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint, which is why Motion took a shot running back in 15 days.
“He gets to rest now,” Motion said, referring to the fact the Breeders’ Cup isn’t until Nov. 4. The Juvenile Turf Sprint is run at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Irad Ortiz Jr., the rider of Gaslight Dancer, said his horse seemed content to run alongside Vacation Dance but reengaged when Nagirroc came to his outside.
“He tried to fight back, but it was too late,” Ortiz said. “Good effort.”
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