Miraculous return: She’s Nae Nae wins after 11-month break
CONDITIONING a horse to win after one month’s layoff is a common routine in any horse racing circle, but when a trainer stretches his horse’s lay-off to six months or longer and that horse wins on the first start back, that is something special.
Such was the case with the Courtney Williams-owned and -trained She’s Nae Nae on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
She’s Nae Nae, coming off an 11-month break, made one move to win the five-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two), and native-bred five-year-old (maidens) over 3½ furlongs (700m). The five-year-old chestnut mare won by a length in a time of 42.4 (24.2 x 36.2).
Out of the gates She’s Nae Nae broke sharply, vying for the lead alongside Esuse Me Goodbye (Roderick DaCosta), Beautiful Bran (Raddesh Roman), and Matriarch (Tevin Foster).
Through the first furlong and a half (300m) She’s Nae Nae remained nestled among the front-runners. As the field approached the dummy rails, Parchment made his move and
She’s Nae Nae effortlessly surged ahead.
Maintaining her momentum, She’s Nae Nae held her gallop beautifully to the finishing line, crossing a length ahead of Esuse Me Goodbye and Matriarch.
