Weaver's No Nay Mets, Crimson Advocate sweep Royal Ascot preps

No Nay Mets got the jump on his nine rivals out of the starting gate and never looked back to register a 10-1 upset in Saturday’s $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park.

The Royal Palm Juvenile, a five-furlong turf stakes for 2-year-olds co-headlined Saturday’s 10-program with the $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies, a five-furlong turf stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Each race provides its winner with an automatic berth into one of six stakes during the June 20-24 Royal Ascot meeting, as well as a $25,000 equine travel stipend for shipping from the U.S. to England, in addition to the winner’s share of the purse.

Steve Cauthen’s Holding the Line, the 3-5 favorite trained by 12-time Royal Ascot winner Wesley Ward, raced forwardly before fading to seventh.

Making his career debut, No Nay Mets held a narrow lead on the backstretch before clearing his pace disputers on the far turn under jockey Luca Panici. The George Weaver-trained Irish-bred colt shook off a strong outside challenge by Mattingly on the turn into the homestretch and drew off to a 3 1/2-length victory.

No Nay Mets is a son of No Nay Never, whom Ward saddled for a victory in the Norfolk (G2) during the 2013 Royal Ascot meeting. His son will be given the chance to follow in his footsteps to Royal Ascot glory.

“He’s a pretty nifty colt. He was on a rushed schedule for this. There’s no reason not to go over there,” Weaver said. “It’s a lot of fun, and he’s got as good a chance as anybody.”

Alex Bregman, the Houston Astros All Star third baseman, heads Bregman Family Racing, which owns the colt .

“I met him last year down here. He’s a really, really, cool dude. He’s down to earth and has a lot of fun with the game,” Weaver said. “I love working for him and have something for him.”

No Nay Mets ran five furlongs on a firm turf in 57.50 seconds after setting fractions of 22.98 and 45.44 seconds for the first half mile.

When No Nay Mets failed to meet his $335,000 RNA at the recent OBS April 2-year-olds-in-training sale, consigner Ciaran Dunne asked Weaver if he’d like to take over the colt’s training.

“He worked 20-and-2 (seconds for a quarter mile) and galloped out (three furlongs) in 36 at the 2yo sale in April. I just needed to get a gate work into him. It was kind of a crunched schedule to get him here,” Weaver said. “He was fit. It was just a matter of letting him spin his legs a couple of times. He was a No Nay Never, so it made sense he would handle the turf.” times.”

Mattingly, named for Yankees great Don Mattingly, held second under Edgar Perez in his debut. Zaino, a 70-1 longshot ridden by Angel Morales, finished third, three-quarters of a length back.

Crimson Advocate gives Weaver sweep of Royal Ascot preps

Crimson Advocate seized complete command of the $100,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies on her way to giving trainer George Weaver a sweep of the two Royal Ascot qualifying stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Crimson Advocate, owned by R.A. Hill Stable, Swinbank Stables, Black Type Thoroughbreds, RAP Racing, Chris Mara, BlackRidge Stables and Amy Dunne, broke alertly from the starting gate under jockey Edwin Gonzalez to open an early lead that she would never relinquish. Ocean Mermaid, the 3-5 favorite who is trained by 12-time Royal Ascot winner Wesley Ward, was closest in pursuit of the pacesetter throughout the race and finished second, 3 1/2 lengths behind the winning 7-2 second choice and 5 3/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher The Myth.

Crimson Advocate, who finished third in her April 26 debut at Keeneland, was equipped with blinkers for her return in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies.

“We really liked her going into the race up there. I expected her to be on the lead or close to it, but she was green. We put some blinkers on her today and she broke sharp and looked good the whole way,” said Weaver.

The daughter of Nyquist ran five furlongs over a firm turf in 56.25 seconds after setting fractions of 21.83 and 44.42 seconds for the first half mile, earning the privilege of accompanying stablemate No Nay Mets to Royal Ascot.

“I always said after I went to Ascot the first time it would be nice to go back with someone who has a chance to win and both of these horses look like they do,” Weaver said. “They have that early speed. I do need to look at the menu before picking out a race although I’d like to keep both of them at 5/8's if we can."

In order to sweep the Royal Ascot qualifying stakes, Weaver had to go through Ward, the first U.S. trainer to saddle a winner at the Royal Ascot meet during which he has enjoyed incredible success over the years.

"You’re always worried about Wesley. He’s a master of doing this and going to Ascot. You just got to have the right horses,” Weaver said. “Both my horses broke running and got the advantage right away, followed through, and looked good doing it."