Ournationonparade Scores Black Type for Cal Nation

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Ournationonparade became the first black-type winner for Cal Nation Oct. 19 when he scored a 3 3/4-length victory in the $102,000 Maryland Million Nursery Stakes at Laurel Park. 

Bred in Maryland by John Williamson III, the chestnut gelding broke just a touch late from the gate under jockey Inoel Beato before settling in third to stalk the pace inside of So Street. Only one length behind the leader as the half-mile went in :45.49, Ournationonparade was eased out nearing the lane before being set down for a drive at the three-sixteenths pole. 

In control by a solid 1 1/2-length margin at the top of the stretch, the 2-year-old continued to pull away from his rivals with ease and completed the six-furlong sprint in 1:09.73 on a fast track. The victory was the first for Ournationonparade, who finished second in his Sept. 8 debut at Laurel for trainer T. Bernard Houghton. 

Ournationonparade is the fourth foal out of the Leading the Parade mare Parade of Colors, who has produced four winners from as many to race. 

A Kentucky-born son of Distorted Humor , Cal Nation was bred and campaigned through nine starts by WinStar Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher. He is out of the A.P. Indy mare She's a Winner, who also produced stakes winner Sonoma Cat, grade 2 winners Dramedy  and Lord of the Game, and Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) victor and sire Bluegrass Cat. 

Cal Nation's best efforts came at 3 when he took third in the Carry Back Stakes (G2) at Calder Race Course. He was stakes-placed once more in the Select Stakes at Monmouth Park before retiring at 4 with a 3-2-1 record and $127,884 in earnings. He stood at Kingfisher Lane Farm in Pennsylvania for $2,500 in 2019.