Redeemed Gentleman surprises in Old Nelson

Redeemed Gentleman was up in the final strides to post an $81.80 surprise in the $75,000 Old Nelson Stakes on Saturday night at Colonial Downs.

The Old Nelson, a starter handicap over 1 3/16 miles on grass, was open to horses who’d raced for a $25,000 claiming tag in 2018 or 2019. Redeemed Gentleman hadn’t started for a claiming price since he won a $20,000 non-winners-of-two claimer in August 2018, his most recent win. Trainer Anthony Aguirre said a November to August layoff came about after Redeemed Gentleman kicked his stall wall, broke his splint bone, and needed two surgeries to even have a chance to get back into racing shape. The Old Nelson was the third start of his comeback and under Johan Rosado he was up late on the far outside by a half-length over pacesetting favorite Birdsnest Party.

Redeemed Gentleman campaigns for Jerome Aiken’s Reality Horse Racing. The 4-year-old gelding is by Redeemed out of Gentle Flow, by Gentleman.