Kentucky-bred Nakatomi, making his first start since the Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan in Dubai in March, did not let a lack of recency slow him down in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, July 27. Owned by Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fritiani Hay, Nakatomi recorded his first Grade 1 score in this year’s Vanderbilt renewal, defeating Skelly in the six-furlong fixture.
Trained by Wesley Ward, Nakatomi flashed speed along the inside and raced just off the early pace set by Skelly. Nakatomi saved ground into the far turn and angled to the two path outside the quarter-pole. He drew alongside Skelly inside the furlong marker and took command outside the sixteenth-pole. He proved best by 1 ½ lengths at the finish, stopping the clock in 1:09.67 for the six furlongs.
“He’s really coming into his own,” said Wesley Ward. “He’s a lightly raced 5-year-old. We only run him a few times a year as I try to give my horses winters off and this guy is a really special horse to be around. “I picked him out as a yearling and to have him since a yearling until now and win a Grade 1 and be with him nearly every day just makes it ever so special.”
Tyler Gaffalione had nothing but praise for his mount.
“This win feels amazing,” he said. “I am just so thrilled for this horse. He tries so hard every time. We have just been a little unlucky in the past, but he finally got his Grade 1 today.”
Breeders’ Cup Bound?
Ward indicated that he will possibly target the Phoenix S. (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 4 for Nakatomi’s next start to utilize as a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in November at Del Mar.
“I’d really like to win the Phoenix which is Opening Day at Keeneland,” Ward said, “and gives him good spacing. From there, we have to wheel right back to the Breeders’ Cup, but at least we go from his home track and then we ship out to California.”
Bred in Kentucky by Arnold Zetcher and Crestwood Farm, Nakatomi by Firing Line and is produced from the Flatter mare Applelicious. The Vanderbilt win improved Nakatomi’s record to 18-6-2-6 and put his earnings over the $1 million mark.