One Man Team, making just his second career start, took the lead right out of the starting gate and never looked back on his way to posting a four-and-a-quarter length victory in the $100,000 Heft Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday, 28 December.
One Man Team is yet another exciting juvenile prospect for his sire, Nyquist, joining the talented G1-winning tandem of Immersive and Tenma, along with multiple Stakes winner, Studlydoright.
Ridden for the first time by jockey Sheldon Russell, One Man Team was hustled to the lead right out of the starting gate, with Saxton right off his flank in second and Shootersgottashoot tracking in third while racing three-wide. One Man Team maintained the lead at the half-mile marker as Saxton began to fade.
Race favorite Sacred Thunder began to loom a danger on the far turn and had moved into third as the field hit the top of the stretch. One Man Team began to increase his lead through the stretch, eventually crossing the wire an easy winner. Sacred Thunder took second, with Barbadian Runner just a neck further back in third.
One Man Team was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine LLC and was purchased for $285,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Robert V. LaPenta and Madaket Stables. He is out of Holiday Music, a winning daughter of Harlan’s Holiday and a half sister to Horse of the Year and Triple Crown Champion, Justify, in addition to Graded Stakes winner, The Lieutenant (by Street Sense).
One Man Team is the second Stakes winner of the weekend for his sire, Nyquist, joining the talented Johannes, winner of the G2 San Gabriel Stakes at Santa Anita on 27 December. Nyquist is also the sire of the undefeated G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, Immersive; G1 Del Mar Debutante winner, Tenma; and Randomized, winner of the G1 Ogden Phipps Stakes.
Nyquist will stand the 2025 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $175,000, stands and nurses.
