Mohaymen Shines in Nashua Stakes

Just a week after the Breeders' Cup, another promising 2-year-old emerged at Aqueduct Racetrack in the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 4.



Coming off a half-length win in his debut at Belmont Park Sept. 19, Shadwell Stable's Mohaymen impressed in his first start against winners and in stakes competition, taking the one-turn mile Nashua by 1 3/4 lengths.



Off as the even-money favorite, the son of Tapit   trained by Kiaran McLaughlin stalked the pace in sixth, four lengths back early, before moving up on the outside in the backstretch. Under the guidance of jockey Junior Alvarado, Mohaymen went three wide in the turn to pass the frontrunners and maintained his advantage, holding off a mild challenge from second-place finisher Flexibility. Sail Ahoy also rallied late to pick up show honors, a neck back in third.



"We were a little worried about the kickback, how he would break, and the others that have had more racing experience than him," McLaughlin said. "But he's a very talented horse and I'm glad he lived up to the betting public's odds."



Alvarado also said his mount had some difficulties before the race began, but that he was able to relax in a tracking position as Magna Light set the pace through fractions of :23.47, :46.90, and 1:10.78. Mohaymen finished off the mile in 1:36.01 on a dirt course rated fast.



"He was a little upset warming up," the jockey said. "He didn't want to be around the pony too much today. Once we got to the gate, he didn't want to load, and inside he kept rocking back and forth, but when we got to break I just tried to get him in the best position. After the half-mile pole it was all him. He took me on a nice ride. All I tried to do was not fall off."



River Dell made mild gains to finish fourth, followed by Magna Light, Jay's Way, and Pilot House, to complete the order of finish. Sunny Ridge was scratched.



The winner paid $4.20, $2.70, and $2.30 across the board. Flexibility brought $3.60 and $2.80, while Sail Ahoy returned $2.90.



Bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms, out of the Dixie Union mare Justwhistledixie, Mohaymen was the $2.2 million co-sale topper at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.



McLaughlin also wasn't shy about his aspirations for the colt.



"We definitely have Derby fever," the trainer said. "(His next race) would be the Remsen (gr. II) or the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on the same day (Nov. 28)."