One Spirit delivered a resolute, front-running triumph for owner/breeder Nakamura Stables, scoring the Long Island (G3) over Aqueduct’s firm inner turf for jockey Rafael Bejarano. Sent off around 2-1, the 4-year-old filly kept finding through every stage of the 1 3/8-mile journey and would not let anyone past in the shadow of the post.

Race Recap

One Spirit (Nakamura Stables/Bejarano) established the pace immediately and maintained command at each call, then answered a stern late question to prevail by a head in 2:12.40. Superface Party (Mb Stables/Lopez P) tracked the winner throughout and surged late to make it tight at the wire. November Storm (Mb Stables/Velazquez J R) closed steadily from the back half of the field to take third. Right As Rain (Alydar Stables/Valdivia J Jr) held a forward stalking spot much of the way and stayed on for fourth. Nurse Hatchet (D J C Racing Stables/Pennington F) was prominent early before settling and finishing fifth. Ginger Lucy (The Sidley Stud/Rodriguez Jam) improved positions in the lane to be sixth. Taketothesky (Nakamura Stables/Corrales G) traveled midpack to the stretch and finished seventh. Reorganize (Czech Out Farms/Gaffalione T) raced near mid-division early and faded late to eighth. Beach Body (TwinTowersRacing/Franco M) trailed early and remained at the rear at the finish.

Flow & Calls

• Start to :48 — One Spirit took the initiative and set the pace. Superface Party sat second. Nurse Hatchet and Reorganize were in close attendance. Right As Rain tracked the first flight. Ginger Lucy, Taketothesky, Beach Body, and November Storm were in the following groups.
• Half to 1:12 — One Spirit continued to show the way with Superface Party following. Right As Rain advanced into the chasing line. Nurse Hatchet and Reorganize settled just behind them. Ginger Lucy and Taketothesky held their positions, while Beach Body and November Storm remained further back.
• Six furlongs to 1:36 — One Spirit still on top as the tempo held. Superface Party maintained second and began to build momentum. Right As Rain stayed within range. Reorganize and Nurse Hatchet kept to the second flight. Ginger Lucy and Taketothesky were asked to quicken. November Storm began to make notable headway; Beach Body was unhurried.
• Stretch run to finish (2:12.40) — One Spirit dug in. Superface Party launched a strong late run and drew alongside, but the leader answered to secure it by a head. November Storm continued a steady rally to grab third. Right As Rain kept on for fourth. Nurse Hatchet stayed on for fifth. Ginger Lucy finished with interest for sixth. Taketothesky followed in seventh, Reorganize yielded to eighth, and Beach Body completed the order.

Each Runner Mentioned

• One Spirit (Nakamura Stables/Bejarano R) — Led at every call and repelled a serious late challenge to win by a head.
• Superface Party (Mb Stables/Lopez P) — Sat second at all calls and produced a sharp late surge to just miss.
• November Storm (Mb Stables/Velazquez J R) — From well back early, made a sustained move through the lane for third.
• Right As Rain (Alydar Stables/Valdivia J Jr) — Kept a stalking trip behind the top pair and held fourth to the wire.
• Nurse Hatchet (D J C Racing Stables/Pennington F) — Forward early, then stayed on evenly to finish fifth.
• Ginger Lucy (The Sidley Stud/Rodriguez Jam) — Improved positions through the stretch to take sixth.
• Taketothesky (Nakamura Stables/Corrales G) — Midpack for much of the journey, finished seventh.
• Reorganize (Czech Out Farms/Gaffalione T) — Pressed the early going, then faded late to eighth.
• Beach Body (TwinTowersRacing/Franco M) — Unhurried early and remained at the back throughout.

What’s Next for the Winner

Given her stamina and recent graded form at extended turf trips, One Spirit could logically consider another long-route target for fillies and mares later in the season or early next year (e.g., a 1½-mile graded turf event at Gulfstream Park).

Winner’s notes: One Spirit is a 4-year-old black filly by Spirit Believer out of Z Laffy One, bred and owned by Nakamura Stables. With today’s victory, her lifetime earnings stand at $2,104.240 on the site ledger.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm          Time: :48  1:12  1:36  2:12²
$1 Exacta: 8 – 5 Paid 34.70         $1 Trifecta: 8 – 5 – 4 Paid 76.50

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES