Nashua Gives Vekoma Graded Win in Second Start

Following a successful maiden debut at Belmont Park, Vekoma stamped himself as a juvenile to watch when he bested a field of six to win the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (G3) Nov. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

After an alert break from post 5 as the 2-1 favorite with Manny Franco aboard, Vekoma stalked comfortably from third as Factor It In and Call Paul battled up front. They set swift fractions of :22.53 for the opening quarter-mile, and the half went in :45.29.

At the quarter pole Vekoma was tipped four-wide and surged to the lead at the top of the stretch. With a fast-closing Network Effect in pursuit, Vekoma switched leads mid-stretch and extended away to secure the victory by 1 3/4 lengths. 

Vekoma completed the mile distance in a final time of 1:36.62.

"I was trying to make him switch leads, because he was on the wrong lead," Franco said. "When he switched, he ran straight. It's only his second race, so he'll learn. He's a nice horse. I like how he settled. He didn't pull me or get aggressive early on. He settled down, and when I asked him, he was there for me."

The Candy Ride  colt owned by R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables boosted his career earnings to $151,250.

After he successfully stretched out to a mile in the Nashua, trainer George Weaver said he is looking to take the next step with the talented juvenile and will eye the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) Dec. 1. 

"The horse ran good. We expected him to run well. It was just a question of if he could get the mile distance," Weaver said. "It set up nice. Manny gave him a good ride sitting third behind a solid pace. When it came down to it, he made the run."