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Golden Pal Confirmed For Nunthorpe

Trainer Wesley Ward reports star sprinter Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) to be firing on all cylinders ahead of an intended tilt at the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 20.

Last season's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner made a spectacular return to action in the GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga last month and Ward has now given the green light to a trip to the Knavesmire, with Frankie Dettori in line for the ride.

Ward told PA Sport: “He had an unbelievable breeze on Saturday at Arlington Park (4f on soft turf in :51.80) and we're headed for the Nunthorpe. Straight after his last race we really didn't know what direction we were going. There was the option of waiting a couple more weeks for the G1 Flying Five (at the Curragh Sept. 12), but he's doing great and he's scheduled to leave Aug. 13.

“I had a talk with Paul Shanahan (of Coolmore) and he had a talk with Mr. Magnier, Mr. Smith and Mr. Tabor (owners). The Nunthorpe is kind of a stallion-maker race and carries a lot of weight at this time of year.

“He's got a direct flight from Indianapolis to Stansted and then off we'll go. Frankie is going to ride and we're excited.”

Golden Pal's task at York has, on paper at least, been made easier by the retirement of dual Nunthorpe hero Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a horse Ward admits he is full of admiration for.

“It's always a shame for racing every time a great old warrior like that is retired,” Ward said. “I have certainly been a big fan of his and have watched him for all these years. He got a big following, so any time the curtain is pulled down it's never good for racing. I wouldn't want to be taking him on when he's breathing fire, that's for sure!”

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Nunthorpe Or Flying Five For Golden Pal

Last year's GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint scorer Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) is on course for either the G1 Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 20 or the G1 Flying Five S. at The Curragh on Sept. 12 after an eye-catching seasonal debut in Thursday's GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga for trainer Wesley Ward. It was Golden Pal's first start for the Coolmore partners and Westerberg since being purchased privately from breeder Randall Lowe.

“[The Quick Call] was five and a half [furlongs], and the competition wasn't at the same level as what he would face in the Nunthorpe, but if you shorten that up [half a furlong], I think he could run with anything I've ever trained,” Ward said.

Golden Pal finished second in last year's G2 Norfolk S. before breaking his maiden at Saratoga and winning at the Breeders' Cup.

“Over five furlongs, he's a killer,” Ward added. “He's just so quick and agile, and mentally he's really coming around, more so this year than last year. He's always been able to run, but now the rider can contain him–and when he asks for that little burst, very few horses I've had have been able to do that.”

“The Nunthorpe has eluded me, but hopefully we'll get it done this year,” Ward added. “We've been having massive rainstorms over here, so there was quite a bit of give in the ground yesterday. He handled the ground well at Ascot last year as well, so he's got no issues with the ground being a little soft. The only issue would be, while he pulled up really good and sound, we'll see how his energy levels are in his works here in the next couple of weeks, and whether it warrants giving him an extra bit of time for the Flying Five. One of those two races is what he'll be in.”

Ward said G1 Commonwealth Cup and G2 Queen Mary S. winner Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) remains on course for the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest on Aug. 8.

“We're doing really well with her,” Ward said. “She had a breeze on the dirt for the first time since I've had her last week, and we're asking the powers that be for a breeze on the grass at Keeneland this week. She's on target for the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and leaves here on July 31. Like Golden Pal, she has no issues with softer ground. In fact, it might be better if it rains a little.”

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Ward Runners Prep For Saratoga Turf Sprints

The Wesley Ward-conditioned Bound for Nowhere (The Factor) and Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) each turned in breezes over the Belmont turf course Thursday morning in advance of the expected arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa, with each being pointed towards turf sprint stakes during the early part of the Saratoga meet.

Also owned by Ward, Bound for Nowhere came from well back to defeat an unlucky Imprimis (Broken Vow) in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. Apr. 3 and was last seen finishing third to Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) after setting the majority of the pace in the GI Jackpocket Jaipur S. on the Belmont S. undercard June 5. Now seven, Bound for Nowhere is expected to make his Saratoga debut in the GIII Troy S., Presented by Horse Racing Ireland, Aug. 6.

Golden Pal, last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero who was recently sold to Coolmore by his breeder Randall Lowe, is scheduled to make his sophomore debut in the GIII Quick Call S. on opening day at the Spa July 15. The son of the outstanding Lady Shipman (Midshipman) is using that comebacker as a tightener for the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 20.

“From what I see with him in the mornings, he's just extremely talented,” Ward said of Golden Pal.

The trainer also reported that Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), promoted to the victory in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot June 18, is coming along well at his Keeneland base. She is scheduled to return to Europe for the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville Aug. 8.

“She's ready for a work,” Ward said. “We're in a little bit of a pickle because we're mandated to breeze on the dirt. That's her home track and that's where she thrives.”

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Golden Pal Acquired By Coolmore, To Target Nunthorpe

Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), front-running winner of the 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint for his breeder Randall Lowe, has been purchased by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, a Coolmore official confirmed Wednesday.

The first foal out of Lowe's outstanding 11-time stakes winner Lady Shipman (Midshipman), Golden Pal was bought back on a bid of $325,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September sale and was runner-up on debut over the Gulfstream main track last April before missing by a neck to The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot in June. The Florida-bred bested his stablemate Fauci (Malibu Moon) to graduate in the Skidmore S. at Saratoga in August and validated 4-5 favoritism in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, scoring by 3/4 of a length at Keeneland last November.

The decision to sell Golden Lad was not taken lightly, Lowe said.

“It was very hard,” he admitted. “I've been in this business now for 36 years. To go from the very bottom to come all the way to the top and then finally win the Breeders' Cup, it made it very hard. But I wasn't going to be the one to try to repeat with another horse and spend millions upon millions of dollars without finding a top horse again. He's going to run three or four times this year and then head to the breeding shed. This sale comes at the right time and at the right price.”

All is not lost, however, as Lowe retains ownership of Lady Shipman, narrowly runner-up in the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and her colt foal by Omaha Beach named Lieutenant General. Lowe also owns a pair of breeding rights in Golden Pal upon his retirement.

“Before she ran in the Breeders' Cup, I had an offer on the table for $3.5 million,” Lowe said of Lady Shipman. “People thought I had lost my mind for not selling her before the Breeders' Cup, but I told everyone, 'I've gotten this far with her and I honestly believe enough in her that I think we have a legitimate chance to win the Breeders' Cup.' And she got beat a bob. People have been trying to purchase her from me and I said, 'If we can't win the Breeders' Cup with her, we'll win it with one of her kids,' and we were right.”

Lowe reports that Lady Shipman is currently back in foal to Uncle Mo

Golden Pal is currently in training with Wesley Ward at Churchill Downs, where he breezed five furlongs in an easy 1:02.20 over a firm turf course June 20. Ward is pointing the bay towards a seasonal reappearance in the $120,000 Quick Call S. on opening day of the Saratoga meeting July 15 as a stepping-stone to the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York Aug. 20. Golden Pal was an intended runner for last year's Nunthorpe, but the threat of wet weather scuppered those plans and he was rerouted for the Skidmore.

The Ward-trained and Coolmore-owned filly Acapulco (Scat Daddy) won the 2015 G2 Queen Mary S. at the Royal meeting and made the running in the Nunthorpe before finishing second as the 8-5 favorite.

WATCH: Golden Pal winning the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

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