Johannes took command at the top of the stretch and never looked back on his way to posting a two-and-a-half length victory in the $250,000 G2 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday, 28 July.
Johannes, a four-year-old colt by Nyquist, entered the Eddie Read off a victory in the G1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita and remains perfect in three starts – all in Graded Stakes – this year. Overall, the colt’s record now stands at six wins in 10 career starts.
Partnered once again by jockey Umberto Rispoli, Johannes broke alertly and was settled just off the pace in second, content to let longshot Balladeer set the early pace. Du Jour followed close on his heels in third, with There Goes Harvard in fourth. The order remained unchanged as the runners charged down the backstretch, with Johannes gradually cutting into Balladeer’s lead as they entered the far turn.
Johannes drew alongside Balladeer at the top of the lane and quickly spurted away, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner. Dicey Mo Chara closed from far back to take second, with Balnikhov coming in third.
Bred in Kentucky by owner Cuyathy LLC, Johannes is out of the mare Cuyathy, a Stakes-placed daughter of Congrats. Cuyathy is a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes-placed Join in the Dance, and the family also boasts of such standouts as Pennyhill Park (Champion Older Mare in Canada), Elm Drive (G2 Sorrento Stakes, G3 Monrovia) and Mother Of Dragons (California Governor’s Handicap).
In addition to Johannes, Nyquist is also the sire of fellow 2024 G1 winner Randomized, who captured the G1 Ogden Phipps Stakes, and Studlydoright, winner of the Listed Tremont Stakes. Nyquist is also the sire of undefeated Nysos, winner of both the G3 Robert B. Lewis and G3 Bob Hope Stakes earlier this year, and Encino, winner of the G3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
