Aveenu Malcainu Tops Nashua Stakes Field

Gold Square's Aveenu Malcainu will top a field of six 2-year-old colts going one mile in the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 5.

The Into Mischief  colt comes into the race off a seventh-place finish in the grade 1 Champagne Stakes Oct. 7 at Belmont Park, but he was a 2 1/2-length winner of the Funny Cide Stakes at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 25. 

Trained by Jeremiah Englehart, Aveenu Malcainu broke his maiden on debut July 28 at Saratoga, giving him two wins from three starts and earnings of $165,229.

Although Aveenu Malcainu is the only stakes winner in the field, Crea's Bklyn Law also has top-level experience, coming into the Nashua off a seventh-place finish in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Oct. 7.

Prior to that start, the Micheal Dilger trainee had placed fifth in the Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Coors Light (G2) at Saratoga Aug. 13. A son of Sky Mesa , Crea's Bklyn Law broke his maiden in his fourth outing after three third-place finishes at Belmont for owners Anstu Stables.

The four other entries enter the Nashua off their maiden scores. Avery Island won his second start by 5 1/4 lengths at Belmont Sept. 30. The gelding Blue Ridge Scout has two wins from four starts, but was off the board in his only stakes effort. Super Sermon won last time out for trainer Todd Pletcher and placed third in his only other race, while Under the Graydar won his only start Oct. 11.