Ward Pointing No Nay Never to BC Sprint

A seven-month layoff proved to be no problem for No Nay Never on Saturday as he posted a half-length victory in the Woodford (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select at 5½ furlongs on the turf.

“I was excited about yesterday,’’ trainer Wesley Ward said of the 3-year-old, who is owned by Ice Wine Stable, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

The Woodford was the first start for No Nay Never since finishing second in the Swale (G2) at Gulfstream on March 1 in his lone start on dirt in his five-race career.

“He had come into the Swale off a layoff,” Ward said. “We want to win a Grade 1 with him at six furlongs and at that time of year there are not many six-furlong Grade 1s, so what better time? Our goal is to go to Ascot next year with a 4-year-old for the three and up races.”

Saturday’s victory was the third in stakes company for No Nay Never, who won the Norfolk (G2) at Ascot in June 2013 and the Darley Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville two months later.

Despite the grass success, Ward is pointing No Nay Never to the $1.5 million Xpressbet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at six furlongs on the dirt at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

“He loves the dirt,” said Ward, who prepped the colt on dirt and grass prior to the Woodford.

No Nay Never will be one of six horses training at Keeneland for Ward for the Breeders’ Cup. They include Undrafted and Richies Party Girl, who are pointed to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 1.

Other Ward runners prepping here are Judy the Beauty ($1 million Filly and Mare Sprint, G1), Sunset Glow ($1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, G1) and Hootenanny ($1 million Juvenile Turf, G1).

“And, I’ve got Luck of the Kitten running today at Santa Anita,” Ward said of the runner-up in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile and a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf hopeful running in the Zuma Beach Stakes.

 

Source: Keeneland Communications