The Nth Degree flies late in Shakertown

Rodney J. Winkler's homebred THE NTH DEGREE (Distorted Humor) moved to the

fore in midstretch and gamely held off the late run from Congo King (Horse Chestnut [SAf])

in the latter stages to take the $110,200

Shakertown S. (G3) over the good

Keeneland turf course on Sunday. Trained by Eduardo Caramori and piloted by

Eddie Castro, the chestnut completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03 4/5 while

earning his first graded tally. Sent off at 12-1, the gelding returned $26.80,

$10 and $6.40.

"Last night, The Nth Degree was announced as the Colorado Horse of the Year,"

Caramori said. "And he comes today and wins a Grade 3. He's nominated to the

stakes at Churchill (Downs), the Aegon (Turf Sprint S. [G3] on May 4). He ran a

good race last year (when finishing seventh by just 4 1/2 lengths) and I think

we're going again."

Congo King was next to last following the opening three-eighths, but closed

well while wide to garner his first graded placing. The 18-1 shot was worth

$14.80 and $10.40, while completing the $465.40 exacta. Sgt. Bert (Confide)

split foes with a furlong remaining but could not match strides with the top

pair late, settling for the show another 1 1/4 lengths back. The 4-1 third

choice paid $4.60 and finished off the $2,750.60 trifecta. The superfecta

(8-4-3-2) paid $4,132.80, with even-money choice In Summation (Put It Back)

another half-length back in fourth. Shark (Danzig) was next and trailed by

Lifestyle (Indian Charlie), Cognac Kisses (Dixie Union) and Hold the Salt (Salt

Lake).

The Nth Degree improved his lifetime mark to 27-5-6-5, with earnings of

$212,304. The gelding captured the 2006 Yankee Affair S. and placed in the Turf

Dash S. most recently.

The winner was bred in Colorado and produced from the winning Coastal Wave

(Dixieland Band), who is responsible for an unnamed two-year-old filly by Ecton

Park.