Woodbine: 'Naissance' takes Nassau

Naissance Royale, the favored New York invader, closed widest under Kent Desormeaux to capture the Grade 2, $308,900 at Woodbine.

Ambitious Cat, last year's champion turf female in Canada, finished second at 5-2 after splitting rivals nearing the eighth pole. Kabul, a 38-1 shot, was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third after hitting the front in midstretch of the 1 1/16-mile turf event.

Over a course labeled soft, Black Rock Road set moderate fractions before fading to fourth in the six-horse field. Ballroom Deputy was scratched.

"She's a little bit aggressive," said Desormeaux, noting that his job was to get Naissance Royale to relax down the backstretch. "She turned right off, and cantered midway down the backside. She knew when it was time to turn into a racehorse. She was perfect."

Naissance Royale ($4.10) covered the distance in 1:46.16. She earned $180,000 for Monceaux Stable and trainer Christophe Clement.