Nuclear Noon ready to pounce in Millard Ziadie Memorial

March 03, 2023
NUCLEAR NOON and jockey Robert Halledeen after winning the O&S Tac Room Trophy over six furlongs at Caymanas Park in November 2021.
NUCLEAR NOON and jockey Robert Halledeen after winning the O&S Tac Room Trophy over six furlongs at Caymanas Park in November 2021.

Cutting back to the distance of his George HoSang Trophy loss, NUCLEAR NOON will be far more comfortable in Sunday's Millard Ziadie Memorial at five and a half furlongs.

In the George HoSang, NUCLEAR NOON ran into distance-specialist YELLOWSTONE on January 29, challenging the in-form runner throughout the stretch run before losing by a length and a half behind 1:07.2.

The Ash Wednesday outing was the second major effort by NUCLEAR NOON this season, following an eight-month lay-up, which caused him to miss most of last year.

Fighting fit heading into the Ash Wednesday Trophy, NUCLEAR NOON was run off his legs by EMPEROROFTHECARS, who cracked splits of 23.3, 46.4, 58.2 and a crippling 1:11.4.

Dragged into torrid splits by the winner, NUCLEAR NOON was overhauled a half-furlong out by MONEY MONSTER, whose previous run was a fair third behind improved I'VE GOT MAGIC and BLUE VINYL mid-December.

Allowing EMPEROROFTHECATS eight pounds, with no assistance to take the speedster off his bridle, left NUCLEAR NOON winded after making a bid off the home turn, resulting in MONEY MONSTER closing to claim second spot.

EAGLE ONE tried going with EMPEROROFTHECATS but was left behind at the half-mile marker before being circled by NUCLEAR NOON coming off the home turn. BIG BIG DADDY also tried to get into the mix, but his limitations were exposed early when the pace quickened.

Tackling familiar foes such as BIG BIG DADDY, TAURUS BOY, and EAGLE ONE, who he had behind him last time out in the Ash Wednesday Trophy, NUCLEAR NOON is not too heavy to stalk the pace and pounce early in the stretch run.

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