Ammerland Stud’s Kentucky
homebred 3-year-old colt Nordic Truce rated comfortably off a blazing pace up
front through the first half-mile of Saturday’s $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park before rallying through the stretch
for an exciting neck victory as the favorite in the one-mile turf test for
3-year-olds under jockey Julien Leparoux.
A son of Yes It’s True, Nordic True was very impressive
winning his only previous start for trainer Christophe Clement at Calder Race
Course by 4 ½ lengths on Nov. 15 and took the big step-up to defeat a quality
field of 3-year-olds. The race was timed in 1:33.66 over the firm turf.
J D Farms’ Bim Bam, a two-time stakes winner going into the
Dania
Beach,
ran well to finish second. Call Shot was third.
Julien
Leparoux (jockey, Nordic Truce, 1st) – “There was a lot of pace
to sit behind. I was just patient, and when I could find a hole he just went
through with no problem. He’s a real nice horse. He’s still a little green and
has a lot to learn, which is good because that means he can get better. He’s
still learning. And hopefully he will learn fast.”
Christophe
Clement (trainer, Nordic Truce, 1st) – “He was very impressive
breaking his maiden in his first start (Calder on Nov. 15). Obviously this was
an ambitious spot for his second race. I don’t have anything in particular in
mind for his next start. Hopefully, he will have a long successful career ahead
of him.”
(Note:
Clement did not see the race as he was boarding a plane for California
at post time. Clement-trained Gio Ponti is a finalist for Eclipse champion turf
horse with the winners announced in ceremonies in California
Monday night. Clement also maintains a small division at Santa Anita in
addition to the main string in South Florida at Payson
Park.)
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