Yockey's Warrior loves the Thanksgiving Handicap

If Yockey’s Warrior ran only in the Thanksgiving Handicap he might be a champion.

Yockey’s Warrior won the 2016 Thanksgiving Handicap by more than two lengths and earned a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure. Thursday, Yockey’s Warrior won the 2017 Thanksgiving Handicap by five lengths, running six furlongs in 1:09.60 and earning a 101 Beyer, the second-highest figure of his career.

“If the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill was in four weeks, you’d maybe say he belongs off that race,” said trainer Al Stall, who also owns Yockey’s Warrior in a partnership.

“I thought he was spectacular,” Stall said. “He couldn’t have broken sharper, couldn’t have turned off better for a few jumps to get outside the leader, and couldn’t have pounced any quicker. I’m pretty sure he came home in less than 12 seconds.”

Indeed, he did. Yockey’s Warrior ran his last furlong in 11.78 seconds and got his final quarter in 23.71. It’s good stuff, for sure, but alas, the BC Sprint is not in four weeks, and there is no obvious immediate spot for Yockey’s Warrior.

“Not sure what we’ll do, but I do know we’ll be patient with him,” Stall said.