Dismissed at odds of 23-1, trainer elkstable13’s 4-year-old colt NATION OF HONOR ran like an “even” money favorite, proving the oddsmakers “dead” wrong. The modestly bred son of Trojan Nation “collared” the dueling early speed leaders, trainer givenfinal’s INTO OUTCROSSES and trainer thevillage’s FLOATINGSUNBEAMS entering the stretch. NATION OF HONOR drew away from the pair and won by a comfortable 1 & 3/4 length margin, easily holding off trainer masterfun’s WHISPERING DEATH and trainer phillipj’s KILLIN MO TIME, who’s late rallies earned the pair the place and show honors.
The victory is even more impressive when you consider, this was only NATION OF HONOR’S tenth career start. It was his sixth win, but also his “first” against older runners and his “first” racing in Stake company at any level. The “sky” seems to be the limit as NATION OF HONOR already has earned over $500K in an already highly successful career!
RACE CHART w/comments … in FINISH order
NATION OF HONOR … tracked the early speed, made winning move at the head of the stretch, pulled away, well in hand
WHISPERING DEATH … reserved early mid-pack, near eventual winner, steady forward surge to earn placing
KILLIN MO TIME … rear mid-pack early, responded well when asked, still gaining ground at the wire
MR RICK JAMES … rear mid-pack early, steady even paced effort, earned 4th late, best of the rest
FLOATINGINSUNBEAMS … pressed the early leader, tried hard, game effort to earn final purse slice
INTO OUTCROSSES … early leader, set fractions, prominent to 6 furlongs, battled well, just missed paycheck
TRIPPING ON JAGR … trailed early, spotted leader 16+ lengths, furious late charge and finished “fastest” of all
ABSORBING SUNLIGHT … reserved rear mid-pack early, slow steady gain late, but couldn’t reach contention
NYQUIST AT FORTY … battled for lead first 6 furlongs, couldn’t match late strides, slow fade
MUHAARAY … mid-pack early, decent effort on unfamiliar surface, never reached contention
NARPAS SWORD … hard used first 4 furlongs, lost contact with leaders by stretch, faded late
PEGA SIXTIES … fell far back early, modest stretch gain late, but never threatened
AFIRMATIVO … broke slow near rear, saved ground but didn’t have any late response
MEDAGLIA AP … slow out of gate, never found stride, trailed through-out