Nadal Ignites Kentucky Derby Dreams for Radcliffe

With a dominating three-length victory in the May 2 second division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, 3-year-old Nadal stamped himself as one of the likely favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). 

Unbeaten in four starts, the son of Blame  sits atop the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 150 qualifying points. The Arkansas Derby was the most decisive victory yet for the Bob Baffert-trained colt, who may have only scratched the surface of his talent.  

"It's just an absolute bummer that Saturday wasn't the Kentucky Derby like it was supposed to be because it has always been my main dream to win the Kentucky Derby," said bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe, who purchased Nadal as a juvenile for the partnership of George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman, and Mark Mathiesen. "That being said, Nadal was so impressive, and to do it the way he did was incredible. I think he really stepped up his game. I was nervous going into the race as you always are going into a grade 1, but if you're going to be a grade 1 horse, you have to beat the best. I think he showed he's one of the best, if not the best, 3-year-old in the country.

"I know he's in good shape this morning. Randy Bradshaw actually texted me this morning to say that D. Wayne Lukas told him he looked great this morning. And when he says a horse looks great, it must be true. I just can't wait until Sept. 5, and I so hope we can go racing then." 

Nadal first came to Radcliffe's attention at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's select sale of 2-year-olds in training in Florida, where he was consigned by Bradshaw. The colt's performance during the under tack show was enough to prompt Radcliffe to take a deeper dive into his pedigree. Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm, Nadal was the last foal out of the Pulpit mare Ascending Angel, who died shortly after giving birth.

"If you just look at the results that come out of Fasig-Tipton's Gulfstream sale, it's pretty amazing," Radcliffe said. "His work was really good, and I'm pretty sure he had the fastest breeze with his gallop out if you put the times together. He was so efficient. When I went to see him, I was blown away because he was so big. Randy Bradshaw, who sold him, said he was a beast, and he was. When I saw him, I just thought, 'How did he make that time so effortlessly?'" 

Bidding on behalf of Bolton and another unnamed partner, Radcliffe had to stretch for the rangy colt but was determined to take him home to her clients. 

"He was lovely, and I loved him," Radcliffe said. "I was on the phone to George bidding for him. I think George has now realized when I'm on the phone saying, 'Go one more. Let's bid one more,' that I'm not actually asking. I'm doing it anyway, and I already have my hand up. I didn't think we would have to go to $700,000 for him, but, hey, it looks cheap now.

"I had bought him for George and another client of mine, but the second client reneged on the deal. George and I then had to get people together to go in on the horse, so that is when the Mathiesens came in and then the rest of the owners. It's a very cool story for them, and I'm sure the person he was originally bought for was kicking himself Saturday night." 

Nadal broke his maiden on debut Jan. 19 at Santa Anita Park. He followed that effort with a victory in the Feb. 9 San Vicente Stakes (G2) before shipping to Oaklawn Park, where he took the March 14 Rebel Stakes (G2) by three-quarters of a length. 

The only remaining hurdle for Nadal, who has enough points to qualify for the 146th Kentucky Derby, is to stay fit until the race. The first of the American classics was postponed to Sept. 5 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Radcliffe believes the colt has what it takes to pose a real threat in the Derby, she knows from experience that the five-month wait is less than ideal. Like the connections of all other 2020 Derby hopefuls, Radcliffe can do little more than cross her fingers and wait. 

"It's worrying, too, because these horses aren't machines, they're animals," Radcliffe said. "You can't keep a horse at his peak for months. It's the same story for all of these horses, but keeping them sound from now until September is hard. Every time I see Bob Baffert's name pop up on my phone, I think my heart is going to beat out of my chest. 

"If anyone can make it happen, it's Bob. He's an absolute genius, and he proved that again on Saturday. (Assistant trainer) Jimmy Barnes, who has his horses there at Oaklawn, also does such a great job. It will be hard, for sure, but everyone is in the same boat. I just can't wait to be able to see the horse again and give him a big kiss and a hug. Hopefully, that will be sooner rather than later."