Bound for Nowhere found daylight in late stretch July 2 to take the CA $203,200 Highlander Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine, going 2-for-2 this season for owner/trainer Wesley Ward.
It was a cavalry charge for the lead in the six-furlong turf sprint for 4-year-olds and up contested over a firm course, with Chuck Willis emerging on top to lead his rivals through an opening quarter in :21.84. Meanwhile, Pablo Morales settled 8-year-old Bound for Nowhere into sixth.
Chuck Willis was still in control after a half-mile timed in :44.25, but a host of rivals began to set their sights on the leader around the turn for home. When the field straightened for the long stretch drive, Arzak took over top spot at the stretch call with Morales and Bound for Nowhere behind a wall of horses, desperately looking for daylight.
When the opportunity came, the duo punched through and collared the frontrunner, grinding out a one-length triumph in a final time of 1:08.1. Arzak finished second, a neck ahead of longshot White Flag.
Bound for Nowhere paid CA$13 on a CA$2 win ticket. He was sent off at odds of 5-1.
"For a second, I thought I might be a little closer, but it worked out perfectly," said Morales. "A lot of horses came out together head and head and I was able to drop in and save a little bit of ground. He was very powerful all the way around there. I was sitting on a ton of horse. I was following a couple that I thought would carry me, but it seemed like everybody sort of stayed together. I was getting a little worried there but I'm glad I was able to work out a trip. When I put him in the clear, and he felt a little bit of room, he just took off.
"I didn't even see the (Daily Racing) Form. If Wesley Ward wants you to come to Woodbine, I'm going to come to Woodbine. I had no idea what horse it was. …For a great surprise, I looked at the horse and I'm like, 'Well, you're put on an awesome horse.' I was really excited to be here."
It was the second straight trip to the winner's circle for Bound for Nowhere, a son of The Factor bred in Kentucky by Wayne Lyster, Gray Lyster, and Bryan Lister out of the Alydeed mare Fancy Deed. He won a March 19 allowance/optional claimer at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to start his season.
"He was full of run the whole way," Morales reported. "He broke really good, and I think I put him in a good spot. He wants to go. He's big and strong, there's horses in front of me that are sort of running, but are not really taking off, so mine just wanted to go and go and I'm just trying to stay as close as possible, so when it opens, I can go for it. I was going to go for a wider bid and, you're right, he was he was just powerful all the way around there. I did have to steady him a little bit because he just wants to run them over."
Bound for Nowhere added the Highlander to a resume that includes the 2021 and 2018 editions of the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland, along with the 2018 Tourist Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs. He improved his record to 9-2-3 from 19 starts, with earnings of $1178,399.
Cromwell Bloodstock sourced Bound for Nowhere from Ashview Farm's consignment to the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $310,000.
Fancy Deed's last reported foal was the winning Goldencents filly Bingwa, a 2016 model. Her seven starters have all been winners, with Bound for Nowhere the most accomplished of the group.
Video: Highlander S. (G2T)
