Nationhood shook off Westesideclyde in the stretch run and scored a 2½-length victory Sunday in the $60,000 Budweiser Emerald Handicap at Emerald Downs.

Nationhood and Westsideclyde – the betting favorites – battled throughout the one-mile test, but Nationhood asserted his superiority in the lane, and stamped himself as a top contender for the $300,000 Longacres Mile in August.

Ridden by Seth Martinez at 120 pounds, Nationhood ran one mile in 1:35 1/5 on a fast track and paid $6.40, $3 and $2.80. Mike Chambers is the trainer for owners Cander Racing of Kirkland.

Westsideclyde, the 11-to-10 favorite ridden by Gary Baze at 119 pounds, settled for second place and paid $2.80 and $2.40.

It was a half-length back to Jamaica Bound, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell at 114 pounds, and a $3.60 show payoff. Assessment, Wasserman, Carry On John and Wild Cycle completed the order of finish.

Westsideclyde broke from the outside post and was sent immediately to the lead by Baze. Nationhood stayed right with him, however, and stalked the leader from the outside through fractional times of :23 4/5 seconds for a quarter-mile and :47 1/5 for the half.

Nationhood gained a slight advantage turning for home, straightened into the stretch with a 1½-length lead and drew off under steady urging.

A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Cherokee Run, Nationhood as an 8-4-2 record in 20 starts with earnings of $180,570, including $33,000 for Sunday’s win.