Nicky the Vest works bullet for $100K Gander
Bred in New York by Highclere, the sophomore son of Runhappy was purchased for $110,000 at the 2019 OBS October Yearling Sale. He worked a bullet half-mile in 48.44 seconds Sunday on the Belmont dirt training track.
The promising bay won gate-to-wire on debut in a one-mile state-bred maiden event on Dec. 18 at the Big A that garnered an 83 Beyer.
“The horse has been training well. He came out of his race in good order,” said Thomas. “He's done everything nicely from a breezing perspective since his first run. We'll circle the Gander on the 14th against New York-breds and so far we're on target.”
Thomas said the Gander fits well into the development program for Nicky the Vest.
“It's a nice progression and the timing is very good in between starts,” said Thomas. “Depending on how he handles the state-bred company it will dictate and determine the next move after that. He still has to face winners and compete in a stake. We're happy with him but he has to take the next step.”
While Runhappy earned Eclipse Award-honors as Champion Sprinter in 2015 following Grade 1 wins in the Kings Bishop at Saratoga Race Course, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland and the Malibu at Santa Anita, Thomas said he’s not ready to declare Nicky the Vest a one-turn horse.
Gale, a 4-year-old daughter of Tonalist owned by LaPenta in partnership with Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, matched a career-best 86 Beyer last out when capturing the one-mile Geisha on Jan. 16 at Laurel Park against fellow Maryland-breds.
Gale, bred by R.S. Evans, notched her first 86 Beyer by wiring a restricted first level allowance in a restricted off-the-turf mile on Nov. 5 at Laurel. She exited that effort to finish fifth in the Grade 3 Comely after a troubled start on Nov. 27 at the Big A.
“That filly had trained super and I was very excited taking her to the Comely,” recalled Thomas. “We had a horrible trip into the first turn and it just didn't work out well. We were happy to see her get it done down there [at Laurel] against state-breds and she did it the right way.
“She's been really consistent,” added Thomas. “We'll let the dust settle and see where we're at, but all options are open at the moment.”
Thomas scratched Augustin Stable homebred Burning Bright from Saturday’s eighth race at the Big A, a nine-furlong allowance tilt for 4-year-olds and up won by Chestertown, after transportation issues prevented the gelding from shipping up from Turfway Park in Kentucky.
Burning Bright instead clocked a half-mile breeze Saturday on the Turfway synthetic in 48.60. The 4-year-old Empire Maker gelding is out of the multiple Grade 1-winning champion Forever Together, who captured the 2008 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf en route to Eclipse Award-honors as Champion Grass Mare.
Burning Bright, who has made three starts all at Tampa Bay Downs, was no factor in his career debut on turf in March. He followed in April with a good second in a mile and 40 yard maiden special weight ahead of a three-quarter length score at the same distance on May 23 that earned a 74 Beyer.
Thomas said he will eventually try Burning Bright back on the turf.
“He seems to be more of a grinder, more of a dirt style to him,” said Thomas. “I'd like to try him back on the turf but he doesn't seem to have that miler turn of foot on the grass. When we can run him longer we'll have a better gauge of what he's all about.”
Ultimately, Thomas said Burning Bright should appreciate longer distance races in New York later this spring and into the summer.
“I think he's a distance specialist and I just need to get a race under his belt and then he'll end up in New York sooner rather than later,” said Thomas.