Nyquist's One Man Team All Alone on the Wire in Heft Stakes

One Man Team (Nyquist) backed up his sparkling debut with another sterling performance in the Heft Stakes to claim his career first black-type.

Employing a similar strategy as in his debut Oct. 31, when he took a field gate to wire to win by six lengths, the 5-2 second betting choice once again took command out of the gate. Rating well through :23.22 and :47.18 early splits, he handled a would-be challenger on the turn, and opened a clear advantage coming for home. Coasting home, he was 4 1/4 lengths ahead of 7-5 favorite SW Sacred Thunder (Holy Boss), who won the runner-up photo by a neck over Barbadian Runner (Barbados).

The second winner from two to the races for Holiday Music, One Man Team's winning elder sibling is a 3-year-old filly named Mocha Grande (Uncle Mo). Their dam has a yearling full-brother to the winner named Be Someone as well as a 2024 Tapit colt in the wings. She went to Flightline for 2025. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

One Man Team was too sharp for them under @SheldonRussell1 at @LaurelPark Today in the Heft Stakes for Robert LaPenta and @MadaketStables! pic.twitter.com/IDSp66UAUo

— Brittany Russell Racing Stable (@BTRracingstable) December 28, 2024

HEFT S., $100,000, Laurel, 12-28, 2yo, 7f, 1:25.22, sy.
1–ONE MAN TEAM, 122, c, 2, by Nyquist
           1st Dam: Holiday Music, by Harlan's Holiday
           2nd Dam: Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper
           3rd Dam: Magical Illusion, by Pulpit
($285,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Robert V. LaPenta and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brittany T. Russell; J-Sheldon Russell. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $88,200.
2–Sacred Thunder, 122, c, 2, Holy Boss–Elusory, by Broken Vow. ($40,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT). O-John Hazard; B-Anchor & Hope Farm Inc. (MD); T-Gary Capuano. $20,000.
3–Barbadian Runner, 122, g, 2, Barbados–Quiet Run, by Northern Afleet. ($5,000 Ylg '23 EASOCT). O-AJ Will Win Stables, LLC; B-Shamrock Farm (MD); T-Henry Walters. $10,000.
Margins: 4 1/4, NK, 6 1/4. Odds: 2.70, 1.40, 4.40.
Also Ran: Saxton, Yara's Quest, Shootersgottashoot, Blanches Mule. Scratched: Baby Dukes, Crab Daddy, Fire Pit.