By Heather Anderson
3rd-Meydan, Cond, $60,000, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.51, fs.
TIGER NATION (c, 3, Tamarkuz–Silken, by Out Of Place) rocketed straight to the vanguard while under pressure to his outside from Morning (Munnings). Striding out in a good rhythm, the dark bay's lead shrank to a neck as Morning inched closer, but he found another gear at the 350-metre mark and motored home a 1 1/4-length victor. Es-Unico (Brz) (War Secretary) produced an eye-catching turn of foot to take second, 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Sharp Army (Sharp Azteca). Morning faded to fourth. Tiger Nation had previously won his career bow by open lengths at Jebel Ali on New Year's Day. “It wasn't an easy race and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it couldn't have gone better,” said jockey Mickael Barzalona. “He's inexperienced but fast and powerful so he's got everything he needs to get the [UAE 2000 Guineas] trip.” Added trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, “I wasn't sure about running him here but I got some pressure from Mickael who wanted him to experience the lights and the track, rather than go straight to the 2000 Guineas. I don't see it's impossible for him to get the mile.” The third foal and first winner for his dam, Tiger Nation is followed by juvenile filly Social Smile (Uncle Mo). After missing to Moonshine Mullen in 2022, Silken was covered last spring by Echo Town. The winner's first four dams were all bred by Claiborne farm. His third dam, the Majestic Light mare Knot, is the fourth dam of dual Grade III winner Clearly Now (Horse Greeley) and GIII Desert Stormer S. oftlineheroine Bendable (Horse Greeley). Sales history: $110,000 2yo '22 FTIMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $45,803. VIDEO.
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; B-Richard T. Jackson (KY); T-Salem bin Ghadayer.
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