Nice Guys Stables' Where's Chris outdueled the even money favorite Book'em Danno in deep stretch to earn his first stakes coup in Sunday's 49th running of the listed $150,000 Nashua for 2-yer-olds going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Where's Chris, by Twirling Candy, turned the tables on Book'em Danno following a distant third to that foe in an off-the-turf edition of the six-furlong Futurity on October 8 at Belmont at the Big A. The dark bay colt appeared to have no issue with the added ground Sunday, putting an end to Book'em Danno's unbeaten record in three starts to win by three-quarters of a length under Isaac Castillo.
The victory only added to a prosperous weekend for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who saddled White Abarrio to victory in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita.
Breaking from post 4 in the five-horse field in the Nashua, Where's Chris tracked the early foot of Book'em Danno, who held a half-length advantage through an opening quarter-mile in :23.50 and a half in :47.47 over the fast main track. Billal sat a close third along the rail with graded stakes winner Yo Yo Candy just off his flank and Private Desire, who was slow from the gate, a distant fifth.
At the top of the stretch, Book'em Danno and Where's Chris were in gridlock with the former maintaining a head advantage at the stretch call. But Where's Chris got the better of his rival in the final strides to the finish line, stopping the clock in 1:36.75. Book'em Danno finished 5 1/2 lengths ahead of Billal, who fended off Private Desire's late rally to finish third. Yo Yo Candy completed the order of finish.
The win was the second trip to the winner's circle in three starts for Where's Chris, who two starts ago was a five-length winner on debut in September going six furlongs at Belmont at the Big A.
“He's a nice horse and the trainer [Dutrow] and horse's team did a very good job with him,” said Castillo, who piloted Where's Chris in the Futurity. “I knew I had a lot of horse and the horse looked like he was a good horse. I just tried to do the best for him.”
Jose Ortiz, aboard Book'em Danno, said his horse may have been hindered by the added distance.
“I thought he ran well. [Where's Chris] ran well last time out so I think he liked the distance today and my horse, I'm not sure he wants to go that long,” said Ortiz, who piloted Book'em Danno in his Futurity score. “He's by Bucchero, five furlongs. I let him run throughout the chute and see what happened and what kind of pace developed in front of me, but nobody really wanted to go, so I decided to go throughout the chute. I had very decent fractions. I was very happy passing the half-mile, but I didn't have enough horse.”
Where's Chris banked $82,500 in victory, which over doubled his lifetime earnings to $139,000. He returned a cool $41.60 as the highest price in the field.
Bred in Kentucky by The Neuman Group, Where's Chris is out of the stakes-winning and Grade 1-placed Lemon Drop Kid mare Sea Queen. Mike Maker bought him for $20,000 at the OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where Mayberry Farm consigned him.
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