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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I just watched the 4th at Aqueduct, a 6F $52k Maiden Special Weight for 2 year olds. In the paddock I noticed that 2B, National Pride, looked a bit like a younger Curlin.

He sat mid-pack off the pace and and the top of stretch began his run. He had those giant Curlin-like strides and was really ate up the 3-4 lengths that the front running Saratoga Russell had built. As he got closer and eventually passed Saratoga Russell to win, it was apparent just how giant his strides really were. It was a very professional looking run! Saratoga Russell, owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, also ran a nice looking race.

Posted by dana on Nov 17 2007    
Filed Under: Aqueduct, National Pride, Saratoga Russell, West Point Thoroughbreds, 2yo, Curlin, 2007, Maiden, Racing

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