Nothing to Lose dominated the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Saturday at Keeneland to give owner/breeders Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey a third contender for the Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held in three weeks at Lone Star Park near Dallas. The 4-year-old son of Sky Classic circled into contention on the turn, took the lead with an eighth of a mile remaining and drew away by 4 1/2 lengths under jockey Robby Albarado. He was timed in 1:35 2/5 on the firm turf. "It was a great trip," said Albarado. "Mr. Ramsey said to trust his turn of foot and I did. He just drew away." Bobby Frankel trains the winner.Honor in War rallied from last place in the field of nine older horses to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of third-place Silver Tree. Perfect Soul, the 2-1 favorite who was seeking a second consecutive win in the race, contended early but faded to seventh. Nothing to Lose, winner of Saratoga's Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) in his last start, paid $11.20, $6.40 and $4.20 as the co-third choice. Honor in War, ridden by Calvin Borel, paid $9.20 and $6.40. "It seems to me that he keeps getting better and better with age," said Borel. "I'd love to have a shot to go against them (horses in the Breeders' Cup) in three weeks."
Silver Tree with Pat Day aboard returned $4. "The winner was much the best today," said Day. "Maybe if we had a little bit of better break, we would have been able to get second." Ay Caramba finished fourth, with Puppeteer, Sweet Return, Perfect Soul, Warleigh and Surging River following.
It was the sixth win in 13 starts for Nothing to Lose, who increased his career earnings to $809,210 with the $372,000 winner's share. He will start next in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT). Ramsey also will send out Roses in May in the Classic and Kitten's Joy in the Turf. (Chart, Equibase)