By J.N. Campbell
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–Trainer Jimmy DiVito celebrated with his longtime clients at Doubledown Stables in the special winner's circle reserved for graded heroes at Oaklawn Park after Nu What's New (Munnings–Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) went gate to wire in the GIII Oaklawn Mile Stakes on Saturday. It was the gelding's first higher-level score.
The $300,000 OBS April buy who was picked out by DiVito two years ago at the sale took his time to break his maiden, but when it happened it was in-style over the local strip–by 7 1/2 lengths–Dec. 26. The 4-year-old then smashed an allowance field by 12 1/2 lengths at Oaklawn Feb. 5. Nu What's New was last seen finishing as the runner-up in the GIII Razorback Handicap Feb. 28 to Magnitude (Not This Time), who won the G1 Dubai World Cup earlier in the day.
Well-supported as the 9-5 choice here, the chalk made a beeline for the front and was able to make his way to the rail. Closely shadowed by longshot Awesome Aaron (Practicla Joke), Nu What's New kept to the task at hand and steadily shook loose of his opponent by the time the far turn arrived.
The DiVito trainee shifted into top gear entering the lane and even though 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) and Neoequos (Neolithic) gave chase, it was too late. Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) stumbled at the start, but was able to finish fourth.
“He [Nu What's New] was a very good-looking horse at the [OBS] sale,” said Jimmy DiVito, who has trained for over five decades. “He didn't work all that fast, but he was good-looking and I liked him. I know Eddie [Woods] from over the years and he kinda helped me a little bit.
“I like Munnings and I've been fortunate with those horses and I've done good with them,” he said. “This horse goes long and I've always been told they are sprinters, but the more distance, the better with this one.”
When asked about what the win means for Doubledown, DiVito said, “I'm thrilled for the people I've been with for over 40 years from Chicago and they've supported me this whole time. Now, we've got a good horse and we will see where we go from here.”
Pedigree Notes:
The winner is the 32nd for his sire (by Speightstown), joining the likes of Jack Christopher, I'm A Chatterbox, Kimari and El Deal, just to name a few.
Nu What's New is out of dam Heavenly Scat, who was purchased for $260,000 by BlackRidge Stables during the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. Responsible for six foal, four to race and a winner, Heavenly Scat claims 3-year-old filly Ati Girl (Nyquist), 2-year-old colt Go Champ (Early Voting) and a yearling filly by Elite Power. She visited Dornoch for the current term.
Nu What's New's extended female family includes GSW Champagne Problems (Ghostzapper), MGISW Southern Image (Halo's Image) and GISW Turbo Compressor (Halo's Image).
NU WHAT'S NEW ($5.80) took them all the way around and held off East Avenue in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) at @OaklawnRacing. The son of @coolmoreamerica's Munnings is a @keenelandsales and @OBSSales graduate in the barn of trainer Jimmy Divito. @luissaezpty was up! pic.twitter.com/cpJdUXgg4u
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 28, 2026
Saturday, Oaklawn Park
OAKLAWN MILE S.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 3-28, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:37.34, ft.
1–NU WHAT'S NEW, 124, g, 4, by Munnings
1st Dam: Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy
2nd Dam: Coral Sun, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Pleasant Dixie, by Dixieland Band
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($200,000 Wlg '22 FTKNOV; $300,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Doubledown Stables, Inc.; B-BlackRidge StablesLLC (KY); T James P. DiVito; J-Luis Saez. $285,000. Lifetime Record: 9-3-2-2, $564,134. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–East Avenue, 117, c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Music, by Ghostzapper. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T Brendan P. Walsh. $95,000.
3–Neoequos, 119, c, 4, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. ($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). O-C2 Racing Stable, LLC, Parsard, Ian, Shining Stables, LLC, Stefania Farms, LLC, Reimer, Ken T., Braverman, Paul and Pinch, Timothy; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbres,LLC (FL); T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. $47,500.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.90, 4.60, 3.80.
Also Ran: Full Serrano (Arg), Will Take It, Gun Party, Awesome Aaron. Scratched: Coal Battle.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO,
sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
