Monday works: Nakatomi tunes up for Breeders’ Cup
Nakatomi, winner of the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland on Oct. 3, returned to the work tab for the first time since that victory. The Wesley Ward trainee, a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga last year, went five furlongs in 59.2 seconds over the Keeneland dirt.
Ward is pointing Nakatomi to the Breeders' Cup Sprint for his next start, according to a statement to the Keeneland media office after he won the Phoenix. Nakatomi raced in the Breeders' Cup Sprint in both 2023 and 2024, with his better finish coming in 2023 when he was third, two lengths behind Elite Power.
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These 10 graded-stakes winners worked across the country Monday morning:
Nakatomi (Firing Line), a Grade 1 winner (2024 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap), worked five furlongs in 59.2 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he won the Phoenix (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 3 for trainer Wesley Ward.
Explora (Blame), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Oak Leaf), worked six furlongs in 1:13.2 at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of six works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start, she won the Oak Leaf (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 4 for trainer Bob Baffert.
Magnitude (Not This Time), a Grade 2 winner (2025 Risen Star), worked four furlongs in 50.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Monday morning. It was the 21st fastest of 26 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Churchill Downs. In his last start, he placed second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Parx on Sept. 20 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Batten Down (Tapit), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Ohio Derby), worked four furlongs in 51.1 seconds at Saratoga on Monday morning. It was the fifth fastest of six works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Excelsior going 1 1/4 miles on the main track at Aqueduct on April 5 for trainer Bill Mott.
Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Best Pal), worked five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 35 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he placed second in the American Pharoah (G1) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on Oct. 4 for trainer Bob Baffert.
El Potente (Temple City), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Thunder Road), worked four furlongs in 47.8 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the third fastest of 13 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Santa Anita. In his last start, he won the Thunder Road (G3) going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 1 for trainer Dan Blacker.
Firenze Flavor (Liam's Map), a Grade 3 winner (2025 Honeymoon), worked four furlongs in 48.0 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of 13 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Santa Anita. In her last start, she placed seventh in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the turf at Del Mar on Aug. 16 for trainer Patrick Gallagher.
Nadette (Outstrip), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Wilshire), worked four furlongs in 49.2 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the 39th fastest of 56 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start, she placed third in the Swingtime going one mile on the turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 13 for trainer Neil Drysdale.
Stay Hot (Summer Front), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Cecil B. DeMille), worked four furlongs in 47.4 seconds at Santa Anita on Monday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 56 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed second in the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Santa Anita on Sept. 27 for trainer Peter Eurton.
Whatchatalkinabout (Dialed In), a Grade 3 winner (2025 John A. Nerud), worked five furlongs in 59.6 seconds at Keeneland on Monday morning. It was the fourth fastest of eight works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start, he placed third in the Phoenix (G2) going six furlongs on the main track at Keeneland on Oct. 3 for trainer Wesley Ward.