Lexington, KY – Marcus Melander trainee Nix Nacken collected back-to-back Grade 1 victories following a win over 2026 Hambletonian winner Apex in the Canadian Trotting Classic when he sprung from a ground-saving trip and collared leg-weary rivals to win the $575,000 Grade 1 134th Kentucky Futurity in a world-record equaling 1:50 effort on Saturday (Oct. 3) at The Red Mile.
After Apex broke stride alongside Magic Punk leaving the gate, Nix Nacken pushed forward and yielded to brushes from Inexpressable and then Big Ranger. He emerged from fast fractions when finding clearance into the stretch and powered home to win over 67-1 shot Read The Room. Inexpressable finished third and American Power took fourth.
Swedish driver Bjorn Goop came across the pond to drive Nix Nacken, a gelding by Muscle Hill-Nixie Volo, for owner Courant Inc. He paid $37.48 to win.
A full recap to come.