Trainer Wesley Ward was at his Keeneland base Oct. 4, but his stable's influence was felt all the way up into Canada.
The Ward-trained No Nay Hudson traveled north to Woodbine to win the $183,520 Nearctic Stakes (G2T), scoring an 8-1 last-to-first upset in the 5-furlong turf sprint. He rallied to catch 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Nobals by a neck.
Western Whirl ran third ahead of The Strikin Viking in fourth. Favored Bring Theband Home faded to finish last of the seven grass sprinters.
The winner was clocked in :56.19 on a firm inner course at Woodbine following quick early splits of :21.65 and :44.01 set by Bring Theband Home. No Nay Hudson paid $18.90 to win.
Pablo Morales, second-leading rider at Presque Isle Downs, went to Woodbine Saturday for the ride on No Nay Hudson, and said he was forced to change tactics early after his mount was squeezed at the start and forced to play catch-up from last. But the pace worked to No Nay Hudson's advantage.
"In the turn, he started picking it up, picking it up, and I'm thinking, 'I'm going to get this because they have to come back a little bit,' " Morales said.
No Nay Hudson notched his second stakes victory and fifth overall win in 19 starts. He has career earnings of $528,214 for owners Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable
Bred in Ireland by RJB Bloodstock, No Nay Hudson is a 5-year-old bay No Nay Never gelding out of the graded stakes-winning Malibu Moon mare Raw Silk.
Video
