SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Nakatomi, victimized by traffic issues of one kind or another in each of his last three starts dating back to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, benefitted from a picture perfect trip under jockey Tyler Gaffalione to become a Grade 1 winner for the first time, rallying to a 1 1/2-length victory over the even money Skelly in Saturday’s $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga.
Nakatomi broke a bit slow, rushed to contention then altered course when trying to re-rally during the late stages of the BC Sprint. He was forced to take up from tight quarters in traffic along the inside when third again at even money launching his 2024 campaign in the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. He then broke awkwardly and was forced to race wide when finishing a game third in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. But it was clear sailing from start to finish for Nakatomi with his regular rider, back in the saddle again for the Vanderbilt.
Nakatomi broke alertly from his inside post and put himself into the race right from the start, stalking the pacesetting Skelly who recovered from a bit of a tardy beginning to gain command and edge clear midway down the backstretch. Nakatomi was set down to commence his bid nearing the quarter pole, angled outside Skelly upon settling into the stretch, ultimately running down the tiring leader a sixteenth out before edging away at the end.
Skelly opened a four-length advantage on Nakatomi on the turn, remained well off the rail in the run down the stretch, and proved no match for that rival when challenged while remaining second-best, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of Twisted Ride. Baby Yoda dropped well off the early pace and was never a serious factor, finishing fourth followed by My Buddy B and the tiring Subrogate.
Nakatomi is trained by Wesley Ward for Qatar Racing LLC and Mrs. Fitriani Hay. A Kentucky-bred son of Firing Line, he completed six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.97 seconds, paid $9.30, and matched his career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105.
“Tyler [Gaffalione] knows the horse very well,” Ward said. “He kind of learned a lot when he tried to go inside at Tampa. We were lucky he was fresh. The track is playing speed, but he broke so well and was a lot closer than he would have been had he been running all the time. Everything just came together today. It happens so rarely, especially in a Grade 1. But it happened today.”
Ward said the victory meant a lot to him since he picked Nakatomi out as a yearling and has had him throughout his career.
“He’s really coming into his own, he’s a lightly raced 5-year-old and a really special horse to be around,” Ward enthused. “To have had him since a yearling to now and be with him nearly every day and win a Grade 1 just makes it ever so special.”
Ward said Nakatomi would likely bypass the Grade 1 Forego here later this summer to await the Grade 2 Phoenix at Keeneland on Oct. 4 as a prep for a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.
“This guy likes spaces in between his races, so we’ll go ahead home,” Ward said referring to Keeneland where he maintains a stable year round. “I’d really like to win the Phoenix, which is opening day, and that gives him good spacing to wheel back in the Breeders’ Cup again.”
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