The Estate of R. Larry Johnson’s Future Is Now outdueled Pandora’s Gift (IRE) by a nose after a protracted stretch duel to win the 28th running of the $350,000 Giant’s Causeway (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday afternoon.

Trained by Mike Trombetta and ridden by Paco Lopez, Future Is Now completed the 5½ furlongs over a turf course rated as firm in 1:02.72.

Future Is Now grabbed the lead out of the gate and opened a narrow margin over Pandora’s Gift through an opening quarter-mile in :22.73.

On the turn, Pandora’s Gift moved on even terms with Future Is Now and the two hit the top of the stretch as a team. The lead switched between the two down the lane until just before the finish when Future Is Now stuck her nose in front.

Now a two-time stakes winner at Keeneland following her triumph in the Franklin (G2) last fall, Future Is Now is 5-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of Great Notion out of the Bernardini mare Past as Prelude.

A winner of five of her past six starts, all with Lopez aboard, Future Is Now improved her record to 15-8-1-1 with three graded stakes victories. Sunday’s $147,250 check increased her earnings to $748,410.

Future Is Now returned $6.96, $3.54 and $2.76. Pandora’s Gift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $3.78 and $2.80 and finished a length in front of Danse Macabre, who paid $3.20 to show under Joel Rosario.

It was another neck back to Toupie, who was followed in order by Get Twisted, Just a Care (IRE), Awesome Treat, Accomplished Girl and Lithe Spirit.

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Sunday at Keeneland was the popular Heroes Day, which honored members of the military, first responders, health care workers and their families. Click here for a video of the American flag rollout on the main track by the Henry Clay High School Junior ROTC, which was followed by tenor soloist, conductor and professor of voice Dr. Everett McCorvey singing “God Bless America” accompanied by Keeneland Bugler Steve Buttleman.