Wesley Ward Trainees Make Their Mark in Debuts

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Keeneland 

Trainer Wesley Ward, known best for his success with youngsters, had three notable horses that made successful first appearances on the track at Keeneland this past week.

On April 28, Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable's No Nay Hudson , a 2-year-old son of No Nay Never , was the first to enter the winner's circle after defeating six other juveniles in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden race by four lengths.

No Nay Hudson set the pace early under jockey John Velazquez, posting fractions of :23.29 and :45.98 through a half-mile. The colt continued to draw away in the stretch, stopping the clock in :51.92 on a fast track.

Bred by RJB Bloodstock in Ireland, No Nay Hudson is out of the grade 2-winning Malibu Moon  mare Raw Silk .

The following day, Stonestreet Stables' Love Reigns  took well to Keeneland's turf course in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden test, defeating a field of 11 other 2-year-old fillies by an impressive, widening 9 3/4 lengths.

The Ward trainee found the lead early on under Irad Ortiz Jr. and never looked back, setting fractions of :22.04, :45.22, and :56.47 through five furlongs. She was 6 1/2 lengths ahead in the stretch before stretching that margin and stopping the clock in 1:02.33 on firm turf.

Bred by Patrick Grogan in Ireland, Love Reigns is out of the Pivotal mare Humble And Proud, who also produced 2018 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) winner Glorious Empire .

Ward's third notable winner of the week was R.T. Racing Stable's Dominican Pioneer , a half brother to grade 1 winner Killer Graces  and multiple graded stakes winner Chocolate Ride .

A 3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile, Dominican Pioneer made his debut under Velazquez in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for sophomores. The colt raced behind pacesetter Woodline , came off the turn with a head in front, and inched clear to post a 1 1/2-length victory in a final time of 1:17.93 on a fast track.

Bred by SF Bloodstock, Dominican Pioneer is out of the Old Trieste mare Heatherdoesntbluff.

Derby/Oaks Contenders 

As contenders make final preparations for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), the starting lineup also makes last-minute adjustments.

While Maiden Watch horses are not filling up the Derby gates this year, mostly due to defections earlier in the spring, one horse got a last-minute qualification with the announcement that Un Ojo  is now out: D. Wayne Lukas charge Ethereal Road .

Taiba , a $1.7 million 2-year-old purchase who is 2-for-2, has never been an uncertainty for the first Saturday in May after being transferred from the barn of Bob Baffert to Tim Yakteen. Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, the Gun Runner   colt was bought from Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds at The Gulfstream Sale, Fasig-Tipton's Select 2-Year-Old Training Sale in Florida.

Ethereal Road, however, was unlikely to make the starting gate. The Quality Road colt, owned by Julie Gilbert and Aaron Sones, won his maiden in his fourth start. He then earned points towards the Derby with a runner-up finish in the Rebel Stakes (G2) to Un Ojo. However, he was only able to add two more points with a fourth in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G2).

Ethereal Road is a half brother to grade 3 winner Turned Aside , who raced on turf. His dam is the War Front   mare Sustained .

In the Kentucky Oaks several Maiden Watch horses have shown through. Nest , a full sister to grade 1 winner Idol , was made the morning-line favorite at odds of 5-2, while undefeated 2-year-old champion Echo Zulu , a half sister to grade 1 winner Echo Town   and graded stakes winner J Boys Echo , was assigned odds of 4-1.

Other Maiden Watch horses in the Run for the Lilies include Goddess of Fire , a half sister to dual grade 1 winner Mind Control , and Cocktail Moments , who is out of graded stakes winner River Maid .

Last year, eight Maiden Watch horses made the Kentucky Derby starting gate, with Mandaloun  placing best in second, though he was ultimately declared the winner after Medina Spirit was disqualified earlier this year. Five entered the Oaks, which was won by Maiden Watch grad Malathaat .