Nashoba's Key is now undefeated from five career starts (Benoit Photo)

Warren B. Williamson's homebred NASHOBA'S KEY (Silver Hawk) rallied through a huge opening on the inside and held off the classy Balance (Thunder Gulch) through the lane to post a three-quarters of a length score in the $294,000 Vanity Invitational H. (G1) at Hollywood on Saturday. Guided patiently by Joe Talamo, who earned his initial Grade 1 win in the process, the eager filly tracked on the rail with seemingly nowhere to go until the final turn when an opening occurred, and the duo took full advantage. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles on the Cushion Track was 1:48 4/5, and the even-money choice paid $4.20 and $2.40 in the four-horse field for conditioner Carla Gaines.

Longshot Ballado's Thunder (Saint Ballado) went to the front from the start and led the field through splits of :24 1/5, :47 4/5 and 1:12 1/5 for the opening six panels. As the compact group approached the turn for home, Balance commenced her run and took a short lead at the head of the stretch, setting up the thrilling finish. Balance did well to finish second, 1 3/4 lengths clear of third, paying $3 and completing the $5.10 exacta ($1) at 5-2 in the process. Hystericalady (Distorted Humor) came again in the final yards to garner the show spot, a half-length clear of Ballado's Thunder.

Nashoba's Key kept her record intact from five career outings, boosting her bankroll to $443,460 in the process. The talented four-year-old captured the Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G2) most recently, which followed a score in the Fran's Valentine S.

The winner was bred in the Golden State and is the first foal produced from the multiple-winning Nashoba (Ire) (Caerleon). Nashoba's Key has a pair of unnamed half-siblings by In Excess (Ire), a two-year-old filly and a yearling colt.