The Keertana ($250.00 Purse)
CD- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile and One Half on the Turf
May 23, 2026

Last year, One Spirit won six times and earned over $1,700.00 in thirteen starts, but she had been off to a rather quiet start in 2026. In four starts, her only win was an allowance win at TAM, but at the same time she had still been running well. Finally, good fortune finally looked her way as she reminded everyone how strong she was last year with a decisive two length win the Keertana. The five year old mare is trained by Nakamura Stables, and had R Bejarano aboard. For each, it is their first win in this race. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 2:25.41, the second quickest in the history of the race. Here’s a look at it!

(½ Mile- :48.72)- Change The World bursts out of the starting gate for Mb Stables, and for a moment it looked like she might open up a large advantage on the rest of the field before settling in to lead by a length and a half. There’s a group of three right behind her, and Last Word Lucy, who’s on the outside for TwinTowersRacing has the narrowest of advantages on Big Jd Racing’s Bromxbabesarebest, who is on the rail. Running right between these two is the eventual winner of the race, One Spirit, for Nakamura Stables. They are about two lengths ahead of Right As Rain (Alydar Stables), who herself is three ahead of Ailin (Royalty Stables). At the back are Sannys Legacy (Threshold) and Wyldewood (Mo Mentum Farm).

(3/4 Mile- 1:13.13)- Halfway into the race, Change The World continues to be our leader. Her lead is a length over One Spirit, who outpaces both Last Word Lucy and Bronxbabesarebest down the frontstretch, but they are still running on each side of her. Right As Rain runs in the middle of the field, still two lengths behind them, while also being comfortably ahead of the rest of the pack. Ailin is the best of the rest, ahead of Sannys Legacy and Wyldewood.

(Top of The Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- While in the backstretch, One Spirit would catch Change The World and the early leader was not able to do anything about it. By the time they hit the top of the turn, One Spirit was a full length in front of her. Neither Last Word Lucy or Bronxbabesarebest could make a similar move at that time, either. The far turn would only be more comforting to One Spirit, as she pulled further away from the competition, emerging at the top of the stretch with a commanding two length and seemingly looking like it was in the bag. Those closest to her, that being Change The World, Last World Lucy, and Bronxbabesarebest were only falling further out of contention and Right As Rain was also lacking response. There was one horse back there looking strong, that being Ailin, and she’d look to make a wide move around those rivals to move into second. However, catching the winner would also require One Spirit to suddenly weaken. Sannys Legacy and Wyldewood had a ton of work to do at this point.

(Finish- 2:25.41)- Indeed, all that was left to do at this point was to watch One Spirit run as she reminded everyone of how good she was last year and still can be this year as she gets the two lengths victory. Ailin would be able to sweep by the rest of the field, and herself would be two lengths ahead of third place a third place dead heat between Sannys Legacy and Bronxbabesarebest. The rest of the order will read Right As Rain, Change The World, Wyldewood, and Last World Lucy.

About The Winner- One Spirit, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by R Bejarano, is a five year old mare by Spirit Believer and is out of Z Laffy One. She was bred in Florida by Nakamura Stables as a third quarter two year old and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her eleventh in 30 starts, and her fourth stake win. Her career earnings are now $2,301.64.

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded