Turf Paradise: Nationhood prevails

Nationhood was unable to handle Trail This when he was fourth behind him in the Jan. 5 Swift Stakes at Turf Paradise, but a couple months worth of freshening got the 6-year-old Nationhood back on track, as he got his revenge with an easy win in the $32,700 Coyote Handicap in Phoenix.

Owned by Cander Racing and trained by Mike Chambers, Nationhood sat a couple of lengths off the lead in fourth in the 6 1/2-furlong event, swung wide into the lane, and powered home, drawing away to win by three lengths under Seth Martinez. Nosir rallied from well back to get second, a head in front of Trail This, who dueled and faltered to third in the field of nine.

Nationhood covered the distance in 1:15.05 and paid $5.40 as the slight favorite (he was 1.70-1, while Trail This was 1.80-1).

The victory was Nationhood's sixth in 17 career outings, and the $19,620 winner's share pushes his career bankroll to $116,320.