With a new stakes winner's circle at Keeneland to welcome him, a third try at the Phoenix Stakes (G2) proved the charm for Nakatomi Oct. 3.
After longshot Durante opened a clear lead in midstretch in the 6-furlong test for 3-year-olds and older, Nakatomi found his best late to rally from last of six early. The 6-year-old Firing Line gelding edged Durante by a neck at the wire in the $390,125 race to secure the third stakes win of his career.
The winning effort followed runner-up finishes by Nakatomi in the 2024 and 2023 editions of the Phoenix.
"I'll tell you, this is a race that I've been coveting for a long, long time," said trainer Wesley Ward, who is based at Keeneland. "It's a sprint race, which predominantly, has been the focus of the majority of my career. We've been trying to get it done and to have it, to finally have it, it's just gratifying."
Ward was speaking from the new stakes winner's circle at Keeneland, which is beside the paddock and had once been used as the "rider's up" area. Nakatomi was the first horse to use the new winner's circle.
Watch: Ward Says Nakatomi is Back In Top Form
The Phoenix is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race, offering a fees-paid berth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), also a 6-furlong test.
A grade 1 winner, Nakatomi followed those runner-up Phoenix finishes with a third-place finish in the 2023 Sprint and a sixth-place finish in last year's Sprint. Ward is looking forward to entering this year's Sprint off of a victory in the Phoenix.
"Going over there to Del Mar with that short stretch that they have, it's going to take a quick early pace up front, and he'll have to come running. So everything will have to fall our way," Ward said. "But the horse is feeling good and is doing well. With an older, seasoned, sound horse like him; hopefully we get lucky."
Campaigned by Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay, Nakatomi improved his earnings to more than $1.97 million.
Racing under multiple Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr., Nakatomi rated in last through an eventful opening quarter-mile as the speedy Skelly didn't break well from post 3 when bumped and steadied at the start while Durante broke well along the rail. Skelly and jockey Luis Saez rushed up inside to secure the lead through a quarter-mile in :22.19.
Skelly would open a 2-length advantage through a half-mile in :45.08 before fading to last. Owned and trained by David Jacobson, Durante raced steadily inside and pounced to open a 2-length advantage in midstretch after the early leader threw in the towel. Nakatomi, who had moved into third in midstretch, continued his rally to the wire. Whatchatalkinabout, also trained by Ward, rallied to finish third, 3 lengths behind Durante.
"He got beat by a little bit better horse today," Jacobson said.
Jacobson, who said for a few strides he thought his runner had victory, said he will consider the Breeders' Cup Sprint for Durante. Ward said he hopes Whatchatalkinabout can crack the Sprint field.
The current owners of the winner went to $205,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Horses of Racing Age Sale to purchase Nakatomi, who was consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.
