Nearly looked every inch a colt on the rise as he returned to training Sunday morning, a day after producing a commanding performance in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Bright, energetic and clearly thriving, the Centennial Farms runner reinforced the promise he showed the afternoon before with a dominant victory that has placed him firmly among the leading three-year-olds of the season.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Nearly emerged from the Holy Bull Stakes in excellent order at Palm Beach Downs, showing the kind of enthusiasm that trainers relish at this stage of the year. It was a small but telling sign following a race that announced the colt’s arrival on a bigger stage.
Stretched out to two turns for the first time and stepping into stakes company, Nearly delivered a polished performance over 1 1/16 miles. Settled just off the early tempo, he tracked the leader into the home turn before asserting himself with authority, lengthening his stride and drawing clear in the stretch. The margin at the finish spoke volumes, as he crossed the line well ahead of his rivals to secure his third consecutive victory at Gulfstream Park.
Pletcher described the effort as one that unfolded largely as expected, with Nearly showing tactical speed, composure and the ability to sustain his run when the pressure increased. The trainer noted that the colt travelled comfortably through the early stages despite an honest pace and appeared to relish the additional distance, suggesting that the move to two turns was a natural progression.
By Not This Time, Nearly had already hinted at his ability earlier in the meet, rebounding from an educational debut last autumn with two emphatic wins at Gulfstream. The Holy Bull Stakes, however, represented a clear step forward, both in terms of class and maturity, as he handled the challenge with confidence and poise.
With three starts coming in relatively quick succession, Pletcher indicated that Nearly may now be given additional time before his next assignment. His strong affinity for Gulfstream Park opens the door to remaining at the venue for his next major target, with the Florida Derby later in the spring emerging as a logical next step, provided the colt continues to progress as hoped.
Pletcher is no stranger to success along this path, having previously used the Holy Bull Stakes as a launching point for high-class performers. History offers encouragement, but connections are keen to let Nearly dictate his own timetable based on how he recovers and develops in the coming weeks.
Behind the winner, Bravaro shaped with considerable promise in finishing second. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., the New York-bred colt sat close to the early pace and stayed on resolutely through the stretch, holding his position and confirming his ability around two turns. It was his first start since the autumn and a performance that suggested further improvement is likely with the run behind him.
Project Ace closed late to take third, while early leader Cannoneer faded in the final stages after setting the tempo. The overall depth of the race added substance to Nearly’s achievement, underlining the strength of his display in the Holy Bull Stakes.
Joseph indicated that Bravaro is likely to continue along the traditional Gulfstream route for three-year-olds, with another two-turn test under consideration. He also raised the possibility of stretching out Solitude Dude, an unbeaten sprint winner, while acknowledging that distance remains an unanswered question for that colt.
The Holy Bull Stakes has long been a key early-season marker for aspiring classic contenders, and this year’s edition once again provided clarity. Nearly did more than simply win; he demonstrated balance, adaptability and acceleration, qualities that separate promising runners from genuine prospects.
As the three-year-old picture begins to take shape, Nearly’s performance has added intrigue and momentum to the season. With careful handling and continued development, his Holy Bull Stakes victory may prove to be a defining moment on a much larger stage.
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