DEL MAR, Calif. (July 30, 2014) – Wake Up Nick, the 3-5 favorite under jockey Mario Gutierrez, extended his perfect record to 3-for-3 Wednesday with an impressive triumph in the featured $100,000 Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series eligible two-year-olds at Del Mar.
Wake Up Nick took command from the outside entering the stretch and then drew out to score by 4 ¼ lengths in the added money event that was won by future Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion California Chrome last summer.
Atta’ Boy Woody, the 5-2 second choice, rallied to be second, a length in front of Global Magician in the field of six young horses. Colorado Strong was a late scratch from the field.
Wake Up Nick is by Cindago, out of the Lion Hearted mare Storm Hearted, was bred by Lee & Susan Searing, is owned by Reddam Racing and trained by Doug O’Neill.
“He’s so professional,” said O’Neill. “He gives you 110 percent all of the time and how do you not love a horse like that. We were all thinking we had the best horse going into the race, but not knowing how the track was going to play after the renovation with the wax. I thought Mario (Gutierrez) rode him with a ton of confidence and it showed what a top quality rider he is and top quality horse this is.”
He ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.49 and returned $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10 to his supporters in a crowd of 11,243. First money of $57,000 increased the colt’s earnings to $165,600. Previously, he won the Santa Anita Juvenile June 22.
Atta’ Boy Woody paid $3 and $2.20, while Global Magician returned $3.20 to show.
The Graduation Stakes is an early season steppingstone to the Grade I $300,000 Del Mar Futurity on closing day, Wednesday, Sept. 3.
“When you’ve got a top quality 2-year-old you’ve got to think Futurity,” said O’Neill. “It’s big money and it’s prestigious, so he deserves a chance.”
For Wake Up Nick’s pedigree, click http://www.pedigreequery.com/wake+up+nick.