Nationhood fended off stablemate Chhaya Dance and earned a narrow victory Sunday in a blanket finish of the $50,000 Seattle Handicap for older horses at Emerald Downs.

With Ricky Frazier aboard at 120 pounds, Nationhood finished a neck in front of Chhaya Dance in the 70th running of the six-furlong Seattle. Bound to Be M V P hung on doggedly to finish third, a neck behind Chhaya Dance.

Nationhood, the 6-to-5 wagering favorite, ran six furlongs in 1:08 2/5 and paid $4.40, $3 and $2.60. Chhaya Dance, ridden by Gary Baze, returned $4.80 and $3, while Bound to Be M V P, Kevin Radke riding, paid $3.80 for show.

Mike Chambers trains Nationhood and Chhaya Dance, both of whom were coming off victories at Turf Paradise.

Nationhood stalked Bound to Be M V P and Garbu’s Tab, who contested the pace through fractional times of :21 4/5 and :44 2/5, and then wore down the leaders past mid-stretch to gain a short advantage. The race was far from over, though, as Chhaya Dance rallied into contention and Bound to Be M V P dug in from the inside.

Nationhood has a 7-4-2 record from 18 starts and is 4 for 4 at Emerald Downs.