Back in the winner's circle, Nafzger says 'one horse is plenty'

Hall of Famer Carl Nafzger has been in “semi-retirement” for more than 10 years, with the veteran horseman still having one stall assigned to him in trainer Ian Wilkes’ barn.

Sunday, the Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner returned to the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs for the first time since Nov. 30, 2014, with maiden claimer Broadway Diner.

Nafzger, who won the 1990 Kentucky Derby with Unbridled, celebrated with friends and family when Randy Bloch, John Seiler, Robert Manfuso and Wanda Nafzger’s homebred filly broke her maiden in Race 8 – a $20,000 maiden claiming event for fillies and mares 3 years old and up.

“One of the big topics in my book ‘Traits of a Winner’ is dropping horses $20,000 or more in class makes them exude confidence,” Nafzger said. “This was the case with Broadway Diner. She had all the confidence in the world against this competition and it was great to see her breakthrough.”

This was Nafzger’s first win overall since Oct. 26, 2016, at Keeneland. Nafzger still has his presence felt in the morning at Churchill Downs and regularly helps his former pupil Wilkes around the barn.

Will Broadway Diner’s win encourage the 78-year-old to come out of semi-retirement?

“One horse is plenty,” Nafzger joked. “As long as my wife (Wanda) wants to stay involved in ownership, I’ll keep applying for my one stall.”