News & Barn notes
Proud Mandate Impresses In 2-Year-Old Debut On Thursday At Monmouth Park
August 23, 2018
![ProudMandate_300](https://www.monmouthpark.com/wp-content/uploads/barn-notes/08-23-18 07 Proud Mandate FIN_300x.jpg)
Proud Mandate delivered on the high expectations that trainer Keith Nations has for her, turning her racing debut into an easy victory in a Maiden Special Weight race for 2-year-old fillies on Thursday at Monmouth Park.
The daughter of Strong Mandate-Proud Dame took command in the five-furlong sprint after an eighth of a mile and was never seriously threatened, beating 4-5 favorite Sharpin by 4¼ lengths. It was another 2¾ lengths back in third to Catsoutofthebag.
She covered the distance in :58.74 over a fast track. The race was originally scheduled for the turf but was switched to the main track.
“We’ve liked her from the get-go, from the moment she first came to the barn,” said Nations. “She had the look. She looks like a good horse. The best thing about her is her maturity. She takes everything in stride.”
Owned by Nick Sanna Stables LLC, Proud Mandate was a $35,000 yearling purchase.
“She’s very special,” said winning rider Jose Ferrer, Monmouth Park’s leading jockey. “She’s a nice filly. Very mature. You don’t find many 2-year-olds who were as quiet as she was the whole time, especially for her first start.
“She did everything right. She has a chance to be a good one.”
Proud Mandate paid $4.20 to win as the second choice.
Nations said he wanted “to enjoy this first” before plotting the next start for Proud Mandate.
“She can be special,” he said.