Unbeaten Blofeld Romps in Muddy Nashua Stakes
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Blofeld remained undefeated in three starts with a dominating win as the odds-on choice in the $250,000 Nasua Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 2.
Winner of the Futurity Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park one month ago, the Todd Pletcher-trained son of Quality Road rolled to a five-length triumph for owners Glencrest Farm and JSM Equine. John Velazquez was along for the ride on the gray colt, who scored at odds of 9-10 while completing the one-mile test in 1:38.89 over a muddy track.
Bred in Kentucky by Keats Grove Farm, Blofeld is one of four winners and the first stakes victor out of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Storm Minstrel. JSM Equine and Greathouse Properties purchased Blofeld for $225,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in March.
This was Blofeld's first start beyond six furlongs, but showed he may be effective at longer distances by overcoming a tiring track and windy conditions.
"We've always felt like he would continue to stretch out," said Pletcher. "With the way everything unfolded— starting out in a five furlong race— we felt the (six-furlong) Futurity made sense, and then this made sense. The bottom side of his pedigree, and being by Quality Road, everything suggests he should stretch out."
Blofeld may continue to stretch out before year's end, possibly in the $400,000 Remsen (gr. II) at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 29 at Aqueduct, according to Pletcher.
Blofeld, who extended his earnings to $319,800, returned $3.90, $2.90, and $2.20 across the board. Pacesetting El Kabeir, who led Blofeld by four lengths after half a mile, ran second with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, paying $3.50 and $2.70. The Truth Or Else, with Cornelio Velazquez riding, was 5 1/2 length farther back in third, paying $4.60.
Zayat Stables' El Kabeir set fractions of :23.58, :46.85, and 1:12.89 before his advantage evaporated. First Down, Savoy Stomp, and Hebbronville completed the order of finish.