Published Monday, July 28th, 2014   ( 9 years ago )

Wake Up Nick Faces 6 in Graduation Stakes

Reddam Racing’s talented Wake Up Nick, unbeaten in two starts, including victory in the Santa Anita Juvenile a month ago, heads a field of seven California-bred two-year-olds in the $100,000 Graduation Stakes Wednesday at Del Mar.

The Graduation Stakes was a coming out party for California Chrome a year ago en route to stardom and triumphs in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Mario Gutierrez has the mount on Wake Up Nick, a son of Cindago who broke his maiden brilliantly by nine lengths May 1 and returned in June to score a game win in the 5 ½ furlong Santa Anita Juvenile.

Opposing likely favorite Wake Up Nick in the 5 ½ furlong Graduation Stakes will be Atta’ Boy Woody (Joe Talamo), Colorado Strong (Drayden Van Dyke), London Legacy (Martin Pedroza), Global Magician (Elvis Trujillo), Local Reason (Rafael Bejarano) and Peradventure (Joe Steiner).