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| Staff Writer |
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Nakatomi is being ready for a return to Meydan following his sixth-place finish in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Sprint, with trainer Wesley Ward plotting a path to the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on April 5.
The 6YO gelding, who enjoyed his finest campaign in 2024, landed the Gr.1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Racecourse before finishing third in the US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Ward's charge has been showing encouraging signs at home, firing off four consecutive bullet works at Payson Park Training Center before an easy four-furlong breeze on February 17 in 51.60 seconds.
"He's doing great," Ward reported. "We wanted to get a prep into him for Dubai, which is where we're aiming again this year. He's been invited to the Golden Shaheen, so we're going to go. His owner, Sheikh Fahad, is right there and Jim Hay and his wife Fitri winter every year in Dubai, so they're looking forward to having him run back."
The son of Firing Line faces stiff competition in the US$140,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes, with leading local handler Saffie Joseph Jr fielding four runners, including multiple stakes winner Comedy Town.
Junior Alvarado takes the ride on Nakatomi, who is among the leading American nominations for the Shaheen alongside Breeders' Cup victor Straight No Chaser.
Adding further intrigue, Lea Farms' three-time graded stakes winner Super Chow holds entries in both the Gulfstream Park Sprint and the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
This year's Shaheen carries additional significance as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the November 1 Sprint at Del Mar.