Despite breaking his maiden impressively last spring at Keeneland, No Nay Hudson had not been able to replicate that success until a late surge May 13 in the $208,750 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs returned him to the winner’s circle six races later.
Piloted by jockey James Graham in the 5 1/2-furlong turf race, the 3-year-old son of No Nay Never ran towards the back of the pack as Two of a Kind and Crispy Cat fired off in front with an opening quarter-mile in :21.78 over the firm turf course. At the top of the lane in :44.56, Graham kicked No Nay Hudson into high gear to run down the others from the outside. The colt completed the 5 1/2 furlong sprint 1 1/2 lengths ahead in a final time of 1:02.30.
Two of a Kind was runner-up while recent Palisades Stakes winner Gaslight Dancer got up for third.
Trained by Wesley Ward for Andrew Farm and For the People Racing Stable, No Nay Hudson ($23.54) improved his record to 2-2-1 from seven starts and increased his earnings to $233,546.
Bred in Ireland by RJB Bloodstock out of the grade 2-winning Malibu Moon mare Raw Silk , who has four winners from seven foals to race, No Nay Hudson was purchased for $190,000 by O’Byrne and Grassick from the St George Sales consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
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