TDN RISING STARS

November 12, 2023 - Churchill Downs, Race 7, Msw, USD $120,000, 1 1/16M

Nash, c, 2, 2021 by Medaglia d'Oro

1st Dam: Sara Louise, by Malibu Moon
2nd Dam: Kings Lynn, by Mt. Livermore
3rd Dam: Til Forbid, by Temperence Hill

Owner: Godolphin (KY)
Breeder: Godolphin (KY)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox

While there may have been a few unanswered questions heading into Sunday's seventh race at Churchill Downs, there seemed to be none afterward. Installed the second betting choice behind the 7-5 choice, GISP Be You (Curlin), Nash (Medaglia d'Oro) completely dismantled his competition with seemingly little effort, cruising home an eye-catching 10 1/4-length winner while stamping himself a TDN Rising Star in the process.

Sent screaming to the front in the blink of an eye, the 9-5 chance cut out an opening quarter in :23.83 and a half in :47.93. Still moving powerfully through the quarter pole, the Godolphin homebred was cut loose in the stretch, and flew down the lane in complete command, winning by a gaudy margin while well in hand under Florent Geroux. Longshot Justifreak (Justify) was second, while Resilience (Into Mischief) rounded out the trifecta. The favorite came home fifth.

Sent off the 8-5 choice in his career debut at Keeneland Oct. 7, Nash came home fifth behind 5-1 chance Booth (Mitole) in the six-furlong event. He had been working steadily over this surface, including a pair of :49 flat moves Oct. 28 (40/95) and Nov. 4 (41/96).