G2 Nationwide Stakes
The Nationwide Stakes is a Grade 2 race in Ireland for all horses 2 years old. They will be going 7 furlongs on firm turf. 7 horses will take the field to compete for the winner’s share of the $500,000 purse.
1. MAJOR RERUN (JPN) 2 year old colt (Daiwa Major X Rainbow Quest X Caerleon) Trained by Mano2, this boy started on dirt and had a very poor start at that. Until he was switched to turf and given his breeding I say it was obvious he would love it. He has two wins of his two starts on turf including a nice 7 furlong allowance with an 82 speed. That makes him very dangerous here and I bet eventually he will want longer. Having covered the distance and love of surface makes this colt extra sharp.
2. MAGICAL TRICKSTER (GB) 2 year old colt (Medicean X Redoute’s Choice X Galileo) This colt is trained by Coolk, and is three for three on turf, his speeds are not super but honestly when your winning its nice but not necessary. His wins are all very dominant especially his two at 7.5 he won by 2 and 3+ lengths respectively. So he has been longer than this distance and won with great ease. His best speed is a 79 and his stakes win by 3+ lengths he only ran a 62. Easy win, but it will be much tougher here.
3. GONE FOR GIMLETS (JPN) 2 year old colt (Tanino Gimlet X Gone West X Sadler’s Wells) Trained by Skunkfeed, this colt is dynamite. He won his maiden at first asking then won a residency stakes race. Then won a grade 3 easily and then posted third in a Grade 1. Did I mention his consistency he has run 3 count them, 80+ speeds. 88, 89, and 88. This colt is monster fast, and loves turf but has not covered the distance. He should get the extra furlong and even if he doesn’t that blistering speed should be enough.
4. CHOICES ROCK (SAF) 2 year old colt (Jet Master X Marly River X Adjudicating) This local breed colt is trained by Deeprock25, and has 7 starts to his name. He runs frequently and hard. He has 2 wins his maiden and a stakes race on off track going 6.5. That is the longest distance he has run. He is graded placed and his running style seems to say he is looking for more ground. Excellent prospect with a career best 82 speed. I bet he does better than that here.
5. JEWELERS GIANT (IRE) 2 year old colt (Mastercraftsman X Giant’s Causeway X Mr. Prospector) Trained by Hornfrog2, this colt has only two starts. In his first race he went 6.5 furlongs and closed well but finished 2nd. His next start he broke his maiden going 7 furlongs. In that effort he posted a 76 speed but he did win by 2 lengths suggesting it was an easy victory. Breeding suggest he should like long distances as an older horse so this looks like the perfect spot to see if he can hack it.
6. LET IT GO SAM (GB) 2 year old colt (With Approval X Green Desert X Woodman) This colt is trained by Tgerk88, and sired by the late With Approval who is in his last year at stud in the sim. Great to see this guy doing well. He has three races and has won both his off track starts. The only firm turf start he made he finished a closing 4th. He does want more distance and his best speed is over the firm turf a 79, which isn’t great, but it shows he is better on it and could surprise us.
7. LASERBLAZE (KY) 2 year old colt (Ghostzapper X Certain Storm X Elusive Quality) Trained by Rubiano6, this colt has two starts and both are on dirt. This will be his first turf start. His last dirt race he went 6.5 and broke his maiden with an 80 speed. His dam’s sire and Dam’s dam’s sire are lesser known horses and his sire can go either way. If he takes to the turf but I can see why the odds maker decided this colt was the long shot. A lot of undetermined factors are what makes the sport fun.
I don’t pick for babies but there are a lot of unknowns in this race, horses trying the surface and distance for the first time. Good luck and I cannot wait to see who wins!