Acapulco a Nunthorpe Possible; Undrafted to Haydock

The Coolmore partners' Acapulco (Scat Daddy), the eye-catching winner of last week's G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot for trainer Wesley Ward, could take the path less traveled by Ward's precocious juveniles and take in the G1 Nunthorpe S. against older rivals Aug. 21. Ward has yet to run any of his Royal Ascot winners in the Nunthorpe, but he admitted the weight allowance–Acapulco would receive as much as 25 pounds from her rivals–makes it tempting.

“She's really something,” said Ward. “She's always been a big filly; that's why we bought her, she was so imposing at the sale. It was so disappointing when she had her first run on the dirt [third on debut at Churchill Downs May 8], but we brought her home, breezed her on the grass, and that was the making of her. I've nominated her for the [G2] Lowther [for 2-year-old fillies Aug. 20] as well just in case, but she would get 25 pounds in the Nunthorpe and that is a hell of an allowance. I've never wanted to take on the older horses with a 2-year-old before, but this could be the right one.”

Ward said he has also spoken with John Velazquez about taking the riding assignment.

“Now as good as Ryan [Moore, who rode Acapulco in the Queen Mary] is, I wouldn't want to be giving any of that advantage away, so I've had a word with John Velazquez,” Ward noted. “The race is on a Friday so it won't conflict with any of his commitments in Saratoga.”

Ward also revealed Tuesday that his G1 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Undrafted (Purim) will wait for the G1 Betfred Sprint Cup Sept. 5 instead of returning for a rematch with Diamond Jubilee second Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) in the July Cup at Newmarket July 11.

“The July Cup is out; I just thought Ascot was such a high and he put in a real gut-wrenching effort that I wanted to get him home and give him some time,” Ward explained. “The race we are really looking at now is the Sprint Cup. Haydock is a flat track and that will suit him.”

Reflecting on Saturday's win by the Wes Welker and Sol Kumin-owned gelding, Ward said, “I definitely got more pleasure out of him winning. People had been saying I could only train the 2-year-olds, so to win with him was great.” “It was some sight watching him come right down the outside,” Ward added. “But what about Frankie [Dettori]? He is just unbelievable, an unbelievable guy.”