Doctor Nash Romps Under Twin Spires
Doctor Nash (2c Practical Joke x Popstar, by Medaglia d‘Oro) became Practical Joke’s 19th worldwide winner on Thursday at Churchill Downs with a win over 1 1/16 miles on the dirt.
Trained by Brad Cox for Kueber Racing, Doctor Nash was first out of the gate and first all the way around the track when he held off a challenge from Pinch Hitter and Group Eighteen for much of the race. The colt turned Group Eighteen’s challenge away one final time before ending all hopes of anyone but him winning the race.
Martin Garcia asked him for a bit more early in the stretch run before letting the colt win easy as he pleased by 5 ¾ lengths at the line with the third placed runner over eight lengths behind.
A $135,000 Fasig-Tipton October purchase last year by his racing owner, he was bred by Lauren West, Val Henson, and Potomac Bloodstock in Kentucky.
Out of the winning mare Popstar, Doctor Nash is one of two winners from her two named foals alongside her three-time winner Burn The Ships. Both Doctor Nash’s second and third dams are stakes performers, including his multiple graded stakes winning third dam Advancing Star.
Practical Joke’s 19 winners include five stakes performers, led by Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Wit an two other stakes winners.