No Nay Never up for another challenge in BC Turf Sprint
ARCADIA, Calif. – In his brief but remarkable five-race career, No Nay Never has won graded or group stakes in England, France, and Kentucky. Even in a growing era of international racing, that is unheard of.
Fittingly, No Nay Never’s next challenge is one far from trainer Wesley Ward’s Kentucky stable, where he is based – Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. The BC Turf Sprint will be the richest race of No Nay Never’s career and his first appearance over about 6 1/2 furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course.
The new surroundings are not a concern for Ward. The colt has adapted to nearly all that Ward has tried.
No Nay Never won the Grade 2 Norfolk Stakes for 2-year-olds over a straightaway five furlongs at Royal Ascot in June 2013 in his second start. Two months later, he won the Grade 1 Prix Morny over a straightaway six furlongs at Deauville, France. On Oct. 4, No Nay Never won the Woodford Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Keeneland, his first stakes win in the United States and his first start on an American turf course.
“He’s been so agile,” Ward said. “He’s so fast and so quick and smart.”
:: BREEDERS’ CUP 2014: Post positions, comments, and odds
No Nay Never is likely to be favored in the BC Turf Sprint, which will have a full field of 14. On Wednesday, the 5-year-old mare Free as a Bird was withdrawn after becoming upset on a California-bound plane in Kentucky. Her place in the race was taken by Ageless, another 5-year-old mare.
Of the 14 runners, 13 have won stakes this year, and three have won stakes over the course in 2014 – Ambitious Brew, Home Run Kitten, and Sweet Swap. Another, Reneesgotzip, was third in the 2012 BC Turf Sprint and second in the race last year, both run at Santa Anita.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Sweet Swap. Trainer John Sadler is 28-1-5-0 with a $0.37 ROI over the past five years in downhill turf sprints at Santa Anita following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Six of the entrants won their last starts, including the well-traveled English import Caspar Netscher, who won the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes at Woodbine on Oct. 19.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 13 Caspar Netscher. Trainer David Simcock is 10-4-1-2 with a $4.56 ROI over the past five years in North American graded stakes on turf. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
:: Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint analysis
KEY CONTENDERS
No Nay Never (Last 2 Beyers: 91-80)
◗ There is no suspense over No Nay Never’s strategy. He is going to the front from post 14.
“When you have speed, put them on the lead,” Ward said.
◗ Frankie Dettori will ride No Nay Never for the first time in the BC Turf Sprint. Ward is hopeful that No Nay Never and Reneesgotzip, who breaks from post 1, will not duel through the first quarter-mile and knock each other out of contention.
“Hopefully, there won’t be a torrid pace since they are so far apart,” he said. “He’s overcome adversity. He broke slowly in the Norfolk and was dead last. He was in front after three strides.”
:: DRF Live: Real-time updates from the Breeders’ Cup, including live video coverage
Reneesgotzip (Last 3 Beyers: 106-85-96)
◗ The BC Turf Sprint has been a goal for the 5-year-old Reneesgotzip since a decision was made to keep the mare in training this year. She won the CERF Stakes over six furlongs on the synthetic main track at Del Mar on Sept. 3, her most recent start.
◗ Reneesgotzip’s raw speed will be on display, trainer Peter Miller said.
“Our strategy is to go to the front,” Miller said. “She’s a speed horse. We’re not going to change now.”
Silentio (Last 3 Beyers: 96-103-94)
◗ Silentio was third in the 2013 BC Mile, losing by 1 1/2 lengths to Horse of the Year Wise Dan. This year, Silentio is winless in four starts, including third-place finishes in his last three starts.
◗ Trainer Gary Mandella is hoping for a repeat of Silentio’s effort in the 2013 BC Mile.
“If he runs that well, he’ll be one of the horses to beat,” Mandella said. ”He needs the right trip in a 14-horse field.”
Home Run Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 93-84-92)
◗ Home Run Kitten is unbeaten in two starts on the hillside. He won the Grade 3 Eddie D by a nose, closing from last of 11 to catch stretch leader Ambitious Brew.
◗ Trainer David Hofmans would enjoy seeing a quick pace.
“He can run that last quarter-mile in 22 [seconds],” Hofmans said. “We’d like to be third or better. He’ll have to run the race of his life.”
Dimension (Last 3 Beyers: 93-95-84)
◗ Dimension was fifth in the 2013 BC Turf Sprint, finishing three lengths behind race winner Mizdirection. This year, Dimension has one win in four starts – the Kentucky Downs Turf Dash over 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 24, when he overcame a slow start.
◗ Trainer Conor Murphy said a clean start is vital for Dimension.
“I’m very happy with him at the moment,” he said this week. “He’ll need to break a lot sharper on Saturday. The race will be over before you know it if he breaks that slowly.”
