Nehro turned in his 4th drill at Fair Grounds since returning to Asmussen last December
Last year’s Triple Crown protagonists are all making their return to the races for the new season, and the unsung hero of last year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, second place finisher, Nehro is also eyeing his comeback after joining Steven Asmussen’s string at Fair Grounds back in November, 2011.
Since then, the newly turned 4-year-old colt has resumed routine gallops, preparing for his 2012 campaign.
The Zayat Stables owned Kentucky bred son of Mineshaft, out of mare The Administrator by Afleet, Nehro broke his maiden at third attempt on dirt at Oaklawn Park, over a mile on 21 February, 2011, under jockey, M Baze.
Nehro then, in his first three graded stakes' starts, turned in a hat-trick of second place finishes.
Solely meant to run in the Triple Crown in his sophomore season, Nehro was well on his way after striking a mean punch in his first graded stakes' race, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds race course, at about 1 1/8 miles, finishing second to Pants on Fire, on 26 March, 2011.
He was then off to strengthen his prospects for the Triple Crown opener, in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park over at 1 1/8 miles.
Nehro failed to notch the grade 1 event, and finished a meaningful second to Archarcharch, which boosted his connections’ hopes for the upcoming Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.
With a massive lineup, Nehro finished as a runner up to Animal Kingdom in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, and then skipped the Preakness Stakes, only to finish 4th in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes to Ruler on Ice, over the classic distance of 1 1/2 miles.
After the Belmont Stakes, Nehro had a surgery to remove a bone chip in his ankle, and now he is fully fit and turned in his latest work for Steven Asmussen, going five furlongs in 1 minute and 3 seconds, which was his 4th drill since returning to Asmussen.
“He came out of it in good shape, and he’s progressing nicely,” said Asmussen. “I like the miles he’s gotten in, and the way he’s coming along. We’re bringing this process along pretty slow because we want him to last.”
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