No Nay Never returns a winner in the Woodford

It’s been a long and winding road in the young racing life of No Nay Never. In a short five-race career, the Wesley Ward trained runner has performed with flare in three countries and on three different surfaces. Already a winner at the unlikely trio of Keeneland, Ascot, and Deauville, No Nay Never saw his perfect record blemished when he finished second in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes back in March at Gulfstream Park. He came back a little worse for wear from that effort, his only try on dirt to date, and had several months off before finally returning to the worktab this summer. Ready to race again, No Nay Never made the most of his first start in more than seven months with a sharp win in today’s Grade 3 Woodford at Keeneland.

Making a triumphant return to the host track of his winning debut, the three-year-old son of Scat Daddy was prominent throughout under Hall of Fame rider, Mike Smith. Under strong pressure from Spring to the Sky through testing early fractions, No Nay Never shook free from that one early in the stretch, but soon faced pressure, first from Sharp Sensation, and then from a big long shot Mongol Bull.

One of only two sophomores in the field of ten, No Nay Never remained resolute to the wire, and was able to hold off the charging Mongol Bull by a diminishing half-length, while the 56-1 chance edged out Sharp Sensation for second place money.

Odds-on in the early wagering, No Nay Never eventually drifted up to 2-1 at post time to return $6.00 to his many backers. In winning for the 4th time in 5 lifetime starts the Keeneland September yearling purchase completed the 5 ½ furlong over the turf course rated as good in 1:03.59.

While a couple of races at the World Championships would seem to be up his alley, No Nay Never will most likely be pointed to the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in four weeks, for another another try on dirt, according to trainer Wesley Ward.