Yesterday, I referenced Nick Zito’s assistant trainer Tim Poole and his description of the quirky ANAK NAKAL, running “when he wants to.” Here, Anak Nakal walks around Nad Al Sheba prior to galloping – bowed neck and all.
This morning, I caught up with Poole after he walked Anak Nakal, seventh in the Donn Handicap and winless since the Pennsylvania Derby, to school in the paddock.
Having spoken with Poole when Anak Nakal won at Philadelphia Park and identified the horse’s quirky behavior there, I asked him if he was comparable to any other horses that have passed through the Zito barn in his long tenure with the trainer.
“Strike The Gold, actually,” Poole panned, “you do everything you can and he just lost twelve in a row, gets sold, and comes right back to win after all those losses. Those horses can be gratifying because of all the hard work you put in to get them right.”
Things got temporarily interesting for Anak Nakal when a flock of birds passed in front of him while galloping at the clubhouse turn, and were caught by the camera. Notice Anak Nakal’s facial reaction. He settled down after his fracas and continued about his work as the series of pictures shows.
