Nakatomi rallies to claim second Phoenix win

Nakatomi was a Grade 1 winner at Saratoga in 2024 and nearly won another in Dubai the following year, but the seven-year-old’s true home is Keeneland. Further evidence of that occurred Friday, when Nakatomi rallied from far back to win the $368,238 Phoenix (G2).

It was the seven-year-old Nakatomi's first win since landing the 2025 Phoenix by a neck. It was also the first victory back for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. since sustaining a left foot injury at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

“I felt like I had horse every step of the way. He was traveling so good. I won on him last year, and he came from last to first, so we had the same plan and it worked out beautifully,” Ortiz said.

Despite several notable scratches from the Phoenix, including Forego (G1) winner Hymn and Smile Sprint scorer Viking, plenty of speed remained in the six-furlong dash. Mad House and Booth led the way, with Little Thunder tracking in third.

Nakatomi, last after a quarter mile, gradually improved position and had the inside part of the track wide open for him to rally through in deep stretch. Class prevailed, as Nakatomi caught the tiring pace and won going away by a length.

Owned by Qatar Racing and Fitriani Hay, Nakatomi covered the fast-track test in 1:09.93 and paid $6.64.

Little Thunder edged Mad House for second by a nose. Booth weakened to fourth, while 8-5 favorite Verifire didn’t land a blow, finishing seventh in the field of eight.

Nakatomi has won eight of 28 starts, with five of those wins coming at Keeneland. His next start could be there, too, as he earned a fees-paid berth to the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) by winning the Phoenix.

In addition to winning the Phoenix twice after running second in the race in 2023 and 2024, Nakatomi captured the 2024 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga and the 2021 Bowman Mill S.

A Kentucky-bred son of Firing Line, Nakatomi has now bankrolled more than $2.29 million.