Nyquist’s Lemon Zest Runs Down the California Girl to Win at Second Asking

[Wandering Eyes]

1st-Churchill Downs, $117,975, Msw, 6-29, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:34.03, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
LEMON ZEST (f, 3, Nyquist–Larkin, by Bernardini) came into this second jump out of a live maiden on debut May 17 beneath these Twin Spires. The winner of that contest, Me and Molly McGee (Vekoma), won a first-level allowance at this venue June 22 after a prolonged duel and earned an 85 Beyer for the effort. The runner-up Spun Candy (Hard Spun) broke her maiden June 28–also at Churchill–and earned an 86 for her troubles while High South (Hightail), who finished behind Lemon Zest, swapped to the neighboring turf course next out June 18 to graduate as well. Of that nine-horse field, five have come back in their following start to hit the board or win.

All things considered, the Godolphin homebred still went off at 6-1 odds as California invader Margarita Girl (Twirling Candy) was made the 3-5 favorite. Those two went right to the front, and Lemon Zest was in no hurry as the latter set the tempo through :22.59, :45.20, and six panels in 1:09.38. The looming danger as heads turned for home, the eventual victress overtook that game frontrunner at the sixteenth pole and drew off by 1 3/4 lengths to stop the clock in 1:34.03. Lemon Zest is the second winner for her dam behind six-time victor Thunderian (Distorted Humor). Larkin, herself a half-sister to a fleet of accomplished runners, has a juvenile colt named Brahma (Street Boss) and a 2025 filly by Enticed to her credit.

The aforementioned siblings include the likes of G1 Dubai World Cup-placed Cat O'Mountain (Street Cry {Ire}); multiple Group-placed Willing Foe (Dynaformer) and his full-sister multiple Group 1-placed Michita; and MGSP Kiawah Cat (Lemon Drop Kid). The lattermost mare produced SP Angel Kiss (Frosted) and is the granddam of course record-setter SP Beantown Baby (Artie Schiller). This is the female line of MGISW Nastique (Naskra), whose daughters have produced branches which yielded the likes of GISW Wet Paint (Blame); Singaporean Horse of the Year, five-time champion War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}); and New Zealand champion Sir Charles Road (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $70,650. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

 

LEMON ZEST ($15.52) was best in the closing day opener at @ChurchillDowns. @bradcoxracing and @luissaezpty teamed up to get this three-year-old Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) daughter home in her 2nd try for owners @Godolphin. pic.twitter.com/nOz22v4XPQ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 29, 2025

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