The Busher (KYO)- $200.000 Purse
AQU- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile on the Dirt
February 28, 2026

For whatever the reason may have been, Pineapple Puff laid an egg in the Martha Washington, but there were not many that were concerned about her in the Busher. She was the post time favorite for the race and was our pick as well. In fact, we did have the exacta, too. Having A A Gallardo back in the saddle again may have helped as well, as he had been the rider in the two races that led into the Martha Washington. With her win, Pineapple Puff is 50 KYO points richer and moves into second on the KYO leaderboard. She is trained by Nakamura Stables, who wins the race for the second time (Mint Chocolate in 2024 being the other). A A Gallardo gets his first Busher trophy. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:35.44, the fourth quickest in the race’s history at a mile. Here’s a look at it:

(1/4 Mile- :23.03)- Illusionary State breaks well out of the gate for Nakamura Stables, but from the outside, Devil Z surges to the lead for La Canada Racehorses and will lead Illusionary State by a length after a quarter mile. Illusionary State is by herself in second, with Defy Expectations, from Aer Stables, behind her in third while Greyfriars Stable’s Killer Conquistador runs four wide. Our eventual winner, the Nakamura Stables- trained Pineapple Puff is positioned between these two, while closer to the rail here in the middle of the pack we have Thermal Energy (Mb Stables) and Lucky Delite (The Sidley Stud). Trickyster (Williams9) runs a length behind them, with Laika (Waldo) next. Trailing are Ureeallygotaholdonme (TwinTowersRacing) and Brandy Creme (The Sidley Stud).

(½ Mile- :46.74)- Not much action occurs during the backstretch portion as the field is neatly lined up, with the horses all being content to hold their positions. Therefore, it’s still Devil Z in the lead, a length ahead of Illusionary State, who’s ahead by the same margin over Killer Conquistador. Defy Expectations is next on the rail, while Pineapple Puff patiently paces to her outside. Thermal Energy and Lucky Delite continue to run together, with Trickyster behind them. There’s about two lengths behind her to the rest of the field, Laika, Ureallygotaholdonme, and Brandy Creme.

(Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Devil Z shows the way around the turn, and enters the stretch with a length and a half lead over Illusionary State. But that’s not the Nakamura Stables horse that she needs to worry about as Pineapple Puff pounces perfectly during the turn, making quick work of Killer Conquistador and Defy Expectations. She’s now about two lengths from Devil Z. Lucky Delite started to show more interest further back, but the same could not be said for Thermal Energy. Trickyster was also coming up empty, as the back three of Laika, Ureallygotaholdonme, and Brandy Creme looked to get involved.

(Finish- 1:35.44)- Pineapple Puff continues to get closer to Devil Z with every stride in the stretch, but she would be at her best in the final furlong of the race, as A A Gallardo got everything out of her. Devil Z wasn’t giving in and didn’t really have anyone else to worry about as a couple of other late runners would not have enough time. Once Pineapple Puff drew even with Devil Z, her win was on the bag, as she goes on to win and pick up those valuable KYO points. Devil Z is second, a length ahead of Brandy Creme, who was flying on the outside but simply began the run too late. Lucky Delite also looked good in the stretch, but similar to Brandy Creme, she hit her best stride too late. Give Illusionary State fifth over Ureallygotaholdonme. The rest of the order will read Killer Conquistador, Laika, Trickyster, Thermal Energy, and Defy Expectations.

About The Winner- Pineapple Puff, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by A A Gallardo, is a three-year-old filly by Huff N Puff and is out of Pineapple Cup. She was bred in Florida as a first quarter two-year-old by Nakamura Stables, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in nine starts, and her second stake win. Her career earnings are now $390.670.

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded