Nyquist wins going away in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity
A year ago it was the 2015 Triple Crown champion that broke his maiden and crossed the wire first in the closing day headliner at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Just like American Pharoah, the best two-year old at the 2015 Del Mar summer meet knows that he is good -- very good. Just a quick look at Nyquist in the paddock and it is easy to see his class and confidence. It was on full display on Labor Day as the son of Uncle Mo won the Grade I $300,000 Del Mar Futurity with relative ease and stamped himself as one of the main contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Racecourse the final weekend of October. He defeated a compact, but solid group of California-based two-year olds by three and three-quarter lengths on the way to his second consecutive graded stakes win “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.” Swipe ran on late for a decisive second, while the lightly raced Blameitonthelaw finished third.
The incredible season for two-year old colts continued for Reddam Racing and trainer Doug O’Neill as their Labor Day consisted of convincing coast-to-coast Grade I scores. The day started with California-bred Ralis romping in the Hopeful Stakes on closing day at Saratoga at a juicy price of 6-1. Not to be outdone, heavy favorite Nyquist sat a perfect trip early and pulled away late to remain undefeated in three lifetime starts. When asked about the “ceiling” was for his star juvenile colt, O’Neill stated, “This is a super horse and, like any great athlete, it’s a matter of staying healthy and if he stays that way he’ll do some big things.”
Regular rider Mario Gutierrez was onboard Nyquist for the third straight time in the dominating Del Mar Futurity score. When asked about the brisk early fractions of 22.2 and 44.2, Gutierrez responded, “ Any other track in the country-if I run a :44 half like that- I’m well in front. But here they were all coming at me.” In fact, he sat second early off of pacesetter Annie’s Candy before taking a short lead on the turn, inching away upper stretch and kicking clear late. It was the second consecutive dominating performance for the $400,000 March 2015 purchase. Gutierrez, who rode Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner I’ll Have Another in 2012, was reluctant to compare the two stating, “They are really different horses.”
It was another solid performance for runner-up Swipe. The son of Birdstone has now finished in the money in all five-career starts, but has not won since nipping Mrazek in the Summer Juvenile Championship at Los Alamitos on July 12. Unfortunately, he has run into Nyquist in two tries this summer at Del Mar, but the Big Chief Racing runner continues to learn and move forward with each start. He was noticeably more relaxed in the paddock before the race today and ran like it. Regular jockey Kent Desormeaux said, “The winner was just too good. My horse is still learning. He’s getting there. But compliments to the winners on an impressive performance.”
Third place finisher Blameitonthelaw ran pretty well considering his lack of seasoning. Coming off a powerful maiden victory on August 2, the $320,000 son of Blame stalked the pace between rivals on the backstretch, made a three-deep bid on the turn and held third. Jockey Tyler Baze declared, “ Good race for him. He needs some seasoning. He’ll be a good one.”
The eighth race on the ten-race closing day card was run in a final time of 1:23.28. The winner paid $3.00, $2.20, and $2.10. Swipe returned $4.40 and $2.60, while Blameitonthelaw paid $2.40 to Show. The winning trifecta combination of 5-3-7 paid $14.60 in a $1 wager.