Nanabush could finish only sixth in the My Charmer Stakes

The Argentine champion finished 7 1/2 lengths behind favorite Caitlinhergrtness over the synthetic surface at Turfway Park, after setting the pace for much of the race

Caitlinhergrtness made everything look easy / TURFWAY PARK

FLORENCE, Ky. (Special to Turf Diario) — Argentine mare Nanabush came up short Sunday at Turfway Park. Making her first start over a synthetic surface and her debut under the care of Horacio de Paz, the Il Campione filly finished a distant sixth in the My Charmer Stakes (L, 1600m, $250,000), one of the centerpiece races on the venue’s most significant program of the season.

Ridden by Victor Carrasco, the Santa Inés homebred did what she knows best—go straight to the front. Posting measured splits of :24.36 and :48.45, there was reason for optimism approaching the far turn. But nearing the bend, the chestnut lost her action, made an awkward move, and began to fade through the field, ultimately crossing the wire 8 1/2 lengths behind heavy favorite Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach), who prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:36.74.

Nanabush had impressed in her U.S. debut with a victory at Colonial Downs, but she now owns back-to-back unplaced efforts, having also disappointed at Keeneland after an unfavorable setup. Further conclusions will have to wait; on this occasion, she appeared not entirely comfortable over the surface.