The NASHUA is named for the 1955 Horse of the Year, owned and bred by the Belair Stud and trained by the late "Sunny" Jim Fitzsimmons. Nashua raced for three years in the mid-1950s, before retiring with earnings of $1,288,565. Although he was outrun in the 1955 Kentucky Derby by Swaps, Nashua turned the tables on that rival in a $100,000 match race. A syndicate headed by Leslie Combs II bought Nashua for a then-unprecedented $1.2 million. He stood at stud for 25 years, siring 85 stakes winners. His offspring have earned more than $16 million.

Run at a mile and 70 yards in 1985; at a mile and a sixteenth from 1987 to 1993; one mile in 1994. Not run in 1995. In 1980, Willow Hour finished first, but was disqualified and placed last. Run at Aqueduct from 1975 to 2000, and 2002-04. Run at Belmont Park in 2001.