Avery Island Spurts Away in Nashua

Godolphin homebred Avery Island recovered from being bumped at the start and kicked clear in the deep stretch to secure a win in the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 5.

It was the second straight win and the first graded victory for the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Street Sense colt, who entered off a gate-to-wire, 5 1/4-length score in a Belmont Park maiden race Sept. 30. He has been ridden in all three starts by Joe Bravo.

"It was a great race for only his third start," McLaughlin said. "Joe Bravo did a great job. He was pressured early and then he kind of drew off late. We're tickled to death. He's nice horse. We'll look at the Remsen (Stakes, G2, Dec. 2) back in four weeks.

"It's encouraging that it wasn't a wet track or sealed or anything this time," the trainer added of the colt whose first win came on a good, sealed track at Belmont. "He's always trained well and we've always liked him, and that was a great result today. The longer the better. He's a big strong horse with a big stride. He wants to run all day."

In the one-mile race for juveniles, Under the Graydar went for the early lead, taking the six-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in :23.66, as Avery Island raced in a close second and Super Sermon stalked from third. Avery Island took over after three furlongs, leading a half-mile in :47, with Super Sermon tracking from third, and favored Aveenu Malcainu moving up from fourth. 

As six furlongs went in 1:11.95, Avery Island extended his lead to 1 1/2 lengths and he came two-wide entering the stretch. Super Sermon and Aveenu Malcainu tried to catch the runaway leader, but it was all over as Avery Island hit the wire 4 3/4 lengths ahead. With a late surge, Super Sermon finished a half-length ahead of Aveenu Malcainu for second. The final time was 1:37.58. 

Crea's Bklyn Law, Blue Ridge Scout, and Under the Graydar completed the order of finish. 

The winner returned $6.30, $3.70, and $2.40 across the board. 

"It's always exciting to have 2-year-olds coming around," Bravo said of the winner. "If you look at this horse, he's big and he's just going to keep growing into himself. I have some high expectations.

"He really finished up the last eighth of a mile. I was very happy about that. He's in the right hands; Kiaran will do right by him."

Out of the winning Darley homebred mare Kinda Spicy (A.P. Indy), Avery Island improved his record to two wins from three starts with earnings of $165,332.