Avery Island makes stakes debut in Sunday's G2 Nashua

by Brian Bohl

Godolphin Racing's Avery Island will look to build on an impressive maiden win last out when he makes his stakes debut as part of a field of six juveniles in the 43rd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Nashua on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Avery Island capitalized on the stretch-out in distance following a seventh-place finish in his debut at six furlongs on August 19 at Saratoga Race Course. The Street Sense colt earned a 79 Beyer Speed Figure for a 5 ¼-length victory on September 30 at Belmont Park, recording a front-running win at 1 1/16 miles for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

"The racetrack was a little funny that day, so we hope he'll be fine on a fast track," McLaughlin said. "He ran well. It was a wet track. We hope he'll do well on this track, and we think he will. He's doing real well and training well."

McLaughlin said he was impressed with Avery Island rebounding from his first start to win on a sealed Big Sandy. He will now make his first appearance at the Big A with jockey Joe Bravo aboard from post 2.

"He ran disappointing that day, but we didn't lose faith," McLaughlin said. "We liked him the second start and Joe Bravo loves him, so we'll hope for the best.

"He wants a mile or more," he added. "He's a colt with a big, long stride. The speed might be occupied. He's not that fast, so we don't mind [stalking]."

Stakes winner Aveenu Malcainu will again face graded stakes competition after running seventh in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 7 at Belmont. The Into Mischief colt started his career 2-for-2 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart, winning at Saratoga on July 28 before capturing the Funny Cide by 2 ½ lengths on the same track August 25.

Luis Saez will have the return call from post 5.

WinStar Farm's Super Sermon will also be making his first stakes start after a maiden-breaking win on September 9 at Belmont. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Super Sermon has already won at the Nashua distance. The son of Super Saver drew post 6 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard.

Crea's Bklyn Law is the field's most experienced entry and will make his third straight stakes start after running fifth in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 13 and seventh in the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity on October 7 at Keeneland.

The Michael Dilger trainee already has six races on his ledger, including a maiden win on July 6 at Delaware Park. The Sky Mesa colt drew post 3 with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons.

Under the Graydar will look to go 2-for-2 after rallying from fourth to win his first race on October 11 at Delaware. Trained by Gregory Sacco, Under the Graydar will depart post 4 in tandem with jockey Jose Lezcano.

Blue Ridge Scout, who has two wins in his first four starts for trainer Ollie Figgins, III, including last out in an optional claimer on October 15 at Laurel Park, will look for his first stakes win from post 1. Manny Franco will ride.