Contenders
Anak Nakal
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Owner: Four Roses Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Buckram Oak Farm
After a good 2-year-old season, when he won two of three starts, including the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, Anak Nakal has had a less than stellar campaign this year. In the Fountain of Youth (gr. II) and Rebel (gr. II), he didn't really fire at all. He fared a little better in the Wood (gr. I), but the race was overshadowed by all the press his stablemate, War Pass, was receiving. He ran better than many expected in the Derby, finishing seventh, but he'll need a much better effort if he is to upset Big Brown in the Belmont (gr. I). Read more here.
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/08 | Kentucky Derby (gr.I) | 10 f | 7 | $0 |
| 04/12/08 | Wood Memorial (gr.I) | 9 f | 5 | $22,500 |
| 03/15/08 | Rebel (gr.II) | 8.5 f | 7 | $0 |
| 02/24/08 | Fountain of Youth (gr. II) | 9 f | 8 | $0 |
| 11/24/07 | Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) | 8.5 f | 1 | $168,156 |
| 10/28/07 | Nashua (gr. III) | 8 f | 2 | $21,560 |
| 09/28/07 | Maiden @ Belmont | 7 f | 1 | $31,200 |
| Record: 7 Starts, 2-1-0 | Total Earnings: $243,416 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Zito Confident in Two Belmont Contenders
The Nick Zito-trained Anak Nakal was a go for the Belmont Stakes (gr.I) shortly after he ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr.I) at Churchill Downs on May 3.
NYRA Pegs Belmont Stakes Field at Nine
The New York Racing Association said June 2 a field of nine is probable for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), third leg of the Triple Crown.
Belmont Profile: Anak Nakal
Four years after Birdstone upset Smarty Jones' Triple Crown bid, trainer Nick Zito would love to play spoiler again, as he will send out Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anal Nakal in the Belmont in hopes of rejecting Big Brown's bid for racing immortality.
Anak Nakal Works; Workmate Injured
Anak Nakal breezes a half-mile in :46.60.
Derby Jockey Profile: Rafael Bejarano
He has a new first-rate home base (California) and a new first-call trainer (Bobby Frankel), but Rafael Bejarano, 25, will be back in Kentucky to ride Anak Nakal for trainer Nick Zito in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the first Saturday in May.
War Pass Injured, Out of Kentucky Derby
Robert LaPenta's War Pass, the champion 2-year-old of 2007 and winner of the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade I) at Monmouth Park, has suffered a leg injury that has knocked the colt out of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI).
Tale of Ekati Takes Wood from War Pass
Charles Fipke's homebred Tale of Ekati may have turned in a sub-par effort in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), but he sparkled at Aqueduct when he ran down War Pass in the final strides of the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 5.
Sierra Sunset Sparkles in Rebel Romp
California-bred Sierra Sunset threw his name smack into the middle of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) mix March 15 at Oaklawn Park, dominating eight rivals to win by three lengths in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Stone Bird Final Derby Hope for Lukas
Stone Bird will try to pull off the upset in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 15 at Oaklawn Park. Making his stakes debut, he will have to take down eight rivals, including Z Fortune and Anak Nakal.
| Anak Nakal | Victory Gallop | Cryptoclearance |
| Victorious Lil | ||
| Misk | Quiet American | |
| Perlee |
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