Outfielder looks sharp winning William Walker, trip to England likely
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A sharp Churchill Downs turf sprint victory last May sent Outfielder on an international foray to France. An even more impressive victory Saturday at Churchill Downs in the William Walker Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong grass race, has Outfielder’s connections plotting a trip to England.
Outfielder aced his debut last May 23, winning by 6 1/4 lengths, and acquitted himself admirably making his second start three months later in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville, finishing a competitive fourth after breaking poorly in a hot race.
His margin of victory under John Velazquez in the $225,000 William Walker was a measured three lengths and ran Outfielder’s record in American sprints to 4 for 4. Two of those wins have come on turf, one on dirt, and the fourth on synthetic. And now, all being well, Outfielder heads to Royal Ascot for a try in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup over a straight six furlongs.
“He’s a big colt, and I think this is going to be his year as he grows into his physique,” said Wesley Ward, who owns Outfielder in partnership with Jayson Werth and Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing.
Outfielder’s lone poor performance came over a two-turn mile in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and while Outfielder is loaded with early speed, he showed for the second time in his career a willingness to relax off another leader, albeit with a clean outside trip. The Walker lead fell to Walter the Mason, who broke like a Quarter Horse, and, in fact, ran in a mixed-breed “hook” race along with actual Quarter Horses on March 27 at Sunland Park. As Walter the Mason ripped off a wicked quarter-mile in 21.36, Outfielder, who hesitated ever so slightly at the break, clipped comfortably along a couple lengths behind.
With Velazquez barely asking, if asking at all, Outfielder began gaining going to the three-sixteenths marker in upper stretch, a spent Walter the Mason giving way without resistance. Velazquez did not wield his crop until his mount was drawing away from the pacesetter, and his three modest left-handers likely had little to do with Outfielder’s dominance. Ahead by two lengths at the stretch call, Outfielder had three lengths on runner-up Sandal’s Song at the wire, getting his final half-furlong in 6.01 for a 5 1/2-furlong clocking of 1:01.36 over a firm, quick course. The even-money favorite, Outfielder paid $4.06.
Sandal’s Song, as he had done last month in the Limestone at Keeneland, was slow to get into the race, but stuck much closer to the pack than in his previous start, and while his run came nowhere near the winner, he beat third-place Throckmorton by a head. Rebel With a Cause was a neck back in fourth.
Outfielder, bred by SF Bloodstock, is by Speightstown out of Notte d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro, and was purchased at a yearling auction for $850,000. Like Ward said, he’s a strapping fellow, surprisingly quick and light on his feet for his body type. Outfielder was a fine 2-year-old, and maybe Ward’s hopes for an even better 3-year-old campaign will come to fruition.
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