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| Staff Writer |
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Wesley Ward is preparing to unleash one of his most promising juveniles on the international stage after Outfielder demolished his rivals on debut at Churchill Downs. The Speightstown colt, who won by 6¼ lengths in a maiden over five furlongs on turf, is being targeted at the Gr.2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Kentucky-based trainer believes Outfielder ranks among the finest 2YOs he has ever handled, describing the colt's natural ability as extraordinary.
"I was nervous going into the race at Churchill, just because I was so excited and he's one of those colts who has so much ability," Ward explained. "The race was five-eighths on the grass. But you just never know how it's going to turn out. If you ever get to see his workouts you can visually see that he breathes different air. He's a big colt but he's real agile and quick. He moves like a cat. Usually, big horses are kind of lumbery and they don't have the agility that this guy does."
Outfielder clocked :55.93 seconds for the five furlongs, winning with what Ward described as "effortless ease" while widening his margin throughout the closing stages.
The trainer invested heavily in Outfielder at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, paying US$850,000 for the colt alongside Schwarzenegger (Not This Time), who cost US$950,000.
"Both colts were my picks of the sale. We spent a lot for both," Ward said. "Nobody picked him out but me. You know how bloodstock agents like to take credit for things. The guy who signed the ticket, me, is the guy who picked him out."
Initially shouldering the financial burden alone, Ward subsequently brought in partners including former major league baseball player Jayson Werth, who acquired a 20% stake. Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing later joined the ownership group with a 60% share.
"I couldn't afford to spend that much money when we paid as much as we did. It was too much of risk," Ward admitted.
Originally, Ward expected Schwarzenegger to emerge as the superior performer and planned to debut him at Saratoga. However, Outfielder's rapid progress in training forced a change of strategy.
"We started breezing them together in tandem," Ward revealed. "Outfielder came around a lot quicker than I expected because he's a bigger colt. Schwarzenegger was the one I had planned on running early. But as we got through the workouts in April and May, Outfielder was just better in each and every work. It wasn't by a great margin, but if you watched their works, you could pick out visually which of the two is better."
The colt's affinity for turf became apparent during training at Palm Beach Downs and Payson Park, where he impressed jockey David Flores and other riders.
"Moving on the grass down in Florida he really took to it as far as just galloping on the grass," Ward noted. "He just floated over it. Even though he hadn't had a breeze, yet I thought he'd really liked the grass. The riders on him, one being David Flores, were elated when they got off of him."
Ward's extensive Royal Ascot success makes him ideally placed to campaign Outfielder at the prestigious meeting. The trainer has previously captured the Norfolk Stakes with Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) in 2018 and No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) in 2013, contributing to his dozen victories at the royal meeting.
"He'll run in the Norfolk, which is a path I've been down a few times," Ward confirmed. "It comes up a little quick, especially with my 2YOs. I like a little more spacing. Being that he ran on the grass and he came out of the race great, the Norfolk looks like the best spot. There's no better grass course in the world than what they have at Royal Ascot. Keeneland might be as good. It is a very kind and safe surface for him to run back on."
Should Outfielder perform well at Royal Ascot, Ward has identified the Gr.1 Prix Morny at Deauville as the next target. The trainer boasts an exceptional record in the French contest, having won three times with No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) and Campanelle (Kodiac).
"From there we'll go to the Prix Morny. I've run in it four times, and have won three times and had a second. It's a path I've been down before," Ward explained.
While Outfielder has shown exceptional ability on turf, Ward believes the colt possesses the versatility to excel on dirt surfaces later in his career.
"He would be very good on the dirt," he said. "I don't want to try him on the dirt until the fall of the year. I want to let him mature a little bit more. If we get that far and he accomplishes the things we think he will, we'll have to take a look at the dirt."
Ward emphasised Outfielder's physical attributes, particularly his soundness and respiratory capacity.
"The thing about him is that he is so sound. He's got a big airway and a big throat. A lot of big horses have air issues, but I knew that wouldn't be a problem for him. There is a lot of excitement surrounding this guy."