Nimitz Class Helps Munnings Take Lead
Munnings’ Nimitz Class (3c Munnings x Five Diamonds, by Flatter) had already proven to be a smart 3-year-old for his sire this year but took it to another level on Friday night with a win in the Danzig Stakes to put Munnings atop the General Sires list by stakes winners.
Looking for his third straight victory in his stakes debut, Nimitz Class was near the back of the pack for much of the six-furlong race before making a big move around the turn. As the field raced into the stretch, the colt was fighting traffic but was obviously ready to bolt up when he got the chance and did just that when clear.
He had plenty left when running down the leader to win by three quarters of a length over Uncle Mo grandson Uncle Buddy with the rest of the field over four lengths behind the winner.
Nimitz Class has won all but one of his five starts this year with each coming in eye-catching style. He is trained by Bruce Kravets for owner-breeder Tom Coulter in Pennsylvania.
Nimitz Class is the second Munnings stakes winner out of the stakes winning Five Diamonds, who is also the dam of Munnings’ dual stakes winner Kaylasaurus.
Five Diamonds is one of two stakes performers out of Smart Jane, who is a half-sister to the dam of Brazilian champion Requebra, Group I winner In Essence, and multiple group stakes winner Tap,
Five Diamonds visited the Ashford breeding shed again in 2021 and produced a colt by Lookin At Lucky this season.
Nimitz Class is the 11th stakes winner for Munnings this year, putting him atop the General Sires list by stakes winners. His 17 stakes performers is also good enough for a top six spot as well.