Nadal, a first-time starter by Blame, recorded a sharp win in his career debut in Sunday's seventh race for 3-year-old maidens despite a late jockey change.

Nadal was scheduled to be ridden by Joel Rosario, but he did not ride on Sunday because of travel delays from Saudi Arabia. Apprentice jockey J.C. Diaz, Jr. rode Nadal, who was always near the front and pulled away smartly to win by 3 3-4 lengths over 9-2 Exaulted.

Lane Way (2-1) finished third. He was second through the stretch, but could not hold off Exhaulted.

Diaz was announced as Nadal's jockey with aproximately 30 minutes to post.

Nadal ($4.40)ran 6 1-2 furlongs in 1:15.82. He was purchaed for $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale of 2-year-olds in-training last March.