Ournationonparade has fourth straight win in Maryland Million Classic

LAUREL, MD – Ournationonparade notched his fourth consecutive victory on Saturday with a powerful performance in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic for 3-year-olds and upward traveling 1 1/8 miles at Laurel Park.

Ridden by Jaime Rodriguez, Ournationonparade ($6) bobbled slightly leaving the starting gate, but soon righted himself to sit three paths wide in fourth position as 2020 Classic winner Monday Morning Qb cleared off to the lead from the far outside post position.

Monday Morning Qb, racing off the rail, was pressed from both sides by rail-skimming Vance Scholars and defending champion Prendimi through fractions of 24.65 and 49.74.

Monday Morning Qb still held the lead after six furlongs in 1:14.00, but Prendimi and Ournationonparade began to quicken on the outside. Prendimi soon gave way and Ournationonparade surged past Monday Morning Qb without much fuss in upper stretch.

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From that, it was all Ournationonparade, who strutted home 5 3/4 lengths better than a resurgent Vance Scholars. The Poser was another half-length back in third. Then came Double Crown, Monday Morning Qb, Prendimi, Crouchelli, Ain’t Da Beer Cold, Tappin Cat, Virginia Fulla and Torch of Truth.

Also Eligibles Benandjoe and Cordmaker scratched. Favored Ournationonparade completed the distance in 1:51.78.

“I was loaded at the half-mile pole,” Rodriguez said. “At the quarter pole, he just broke. I didn’t even ask him. Once he changed leads, he gave me another gear.”

Ournationonparade won the Nursery as a 2-year-old in 2019. He made his first start for trainer Jamie Ness on Saturday after the barn took him for $50,000 in a five-way shake at Churchill downs on Sept. 28.

Ness told Daily Racing Form earlier this week that one of the reasons he followed Ournationonparade was because he trained his dam, Parade of Colors. Once Parade of Colors’ racing career ended, Ness gave her to breeder John Williamson III.

“She was slow,” Ness said about Parade of Colors. “He [Williamson] approached me and said ‘what about that old mare. When you’re done racing her, can I have her’?”

Parade of Colors campaigned for Ness and Midwest Thoroughbreds. “She ran a bad race, and I told them that I had a home for her if you want to give her away.”

Ness said he claimed Ournationonparade with the Maryland Million Classic in mind.

A 5-year-old gelding by Cal Nation, Ournationonparade has won 8 of 25 starts. Ness said that he expects to campaign Ournationonparade against stakes company in Maryland.

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