Globe-trotting Nations Pride tops field for G2 Man o’ War
At 2h21, on May 11, 2024 • By AQUEDUCT
Godolphin’s Irish homebred Nations Pride returns to Aqueduct Racetrack in search of his sixth graded/group stakes score in Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Man o’ War, a 1 3/8-mile inner turf test for older horses, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the world-traveling Nations Pride has won a graded or group event in four countries, including a pair of scores as a sophomore in the Empire State when capturing the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga Race Course and the Grade 3 Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont at the Big A in his most recent New York outing.
Nations Pride arrived in New York on April 28 and has worked three times over the Belmont Park dirt training track, including a half-mile in 49.89 seconds Wednesday, and 50 flat on Saturday under the watchful eye of traveling assistant Christiane Harley.
“He loves to be away from home and to travel around. For a colt, he’s very good,” said Harley. “He loves it. He’s doing really good and has worked well. I have taken him around before, so I know him. He seems as good as he’s always been.”
Nations Pride boasts more than $2.5 million in earnings through a consistent 15-9-2-1 record. He is out of the stakes-winning Oasis Dream mare Important Time with his second dam being multiple group stakes-winner Satwa Queen, winner of the 2007 Group 1 Prix de l’Opera.
Frankie Dettori will ride from post 9 with Nations Pride to carry a field-high 124 pounds.
