National Pride in the U S of A
Just last night I was lamenting the sale of Racecar Rhapsody to an unidentified middle eastern buyer. You may remember I really liked him in the Preakness (you know, the race where Big Brown showed up when I was betting he wouldn’t, just a race too early!).
This reminded me of another horse that I was intrigued by that was whisked off to Dubai after one impressive effort in the late fall. National Pride, made a notable debut on November 17th at Aqueduct, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over a Brooklyn Backstretch favorite, Saratoga Russell.
DRF reported:
On Nov. 17, National Pride won a six-furlong maiden race at Aqueduct by 1 3/4 lengths, covering six furlongs in 1:09.27 and earning a 92 Beyer. National Pride is a 2-year-old son of Macho Uno, the juvenile champion of 2000. Friday, National Pride arrived at Payson Park in Florida, where Rick Mettee oversees a string of Godolphin runners.
“He sustained a 3 1/2-furlong run in the race,” Mettee said. “It’s not like he ran for the final eighth of a mile and the field fell apart. You don’t see 2-year-olds do that too often.”
Mettee said National Pride would most likely begin a 30-day quarantine at Payson on Dec. 16 and ship to Dubai in mid-January.
So last night I made my way over to the Godolphin to see if I could find out anything about National Pride… had he raced again, was he in training? Nuttin’.
Imagine my surprise just a few moments ago when I went to my DRF virtual stable to see that he’s back on the work tab at Keenland!!! He breezed 3F at 36.4 (5/32) over a fast all weather track… AND, Numaany, who was also purchased by Godolophin around the same time must have worked with him as he posted a 3F breeze at 38 (20/32), his second at Keenland!
How exciting! I wonder what they’re training towards? Does anyone know anything about this? Perhaps we’ll also see Racecar Rhapsody again, I hope so!
Posted by dana on Jun 22 2008
Filed Under: 2008, Big Brown, Saratoga Russell, National Pride, International Racing, Racing
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Another Godolphin back in the US: Jalil, full-brother to After Market. He worked 3f at Keeneland (36:80) on Saturday; it’s his first US work ever, I believe. Last out he finished 7th to Curlin in the Dubai World Cup, so they must be plotting another try at him here?
I noticed that too! Very interesting…
National Pride—very cool story.
National Pride was bought and trained by Gary Contessa. Gary is one of the best at finding 2 yr olds in training. His other big score last yr was buying Sweet Vendetta for $30k for Team Penney Racing and of course she won the Black Eyed Susan. Gary also bought Peace Rules for cheap back in the day…will National Pride end up being as impressive a find…seems like we’ll find out on American soil…YES!
I hope National Pride turns out to be a good find, his race at Aqueduct was great!
I wonder what’s going on with Papi Chullo, Gary Contessa bought him last year and he improved immediately. He’s still on Dan Ilman’s injured list but was listed as looking like he would be back for the winter meet at Aqueduct. Hmmm…