Rob Mauhar Photo

Avery Island wins stakes debut in capturing G2 Nashua

by Brian Bohl

Godolphin Stable's Avery Island handled the step up to stakes company with aplomb, taking the lead by the half-mile mark and fending off Super Sermon in the stretch for a 4 ¾-length victory in the 43rd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Nashua for 2-year-olds on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Coming off a maiden-breaking victory in the rain on September 30 at Belmont, Avery Island dueled Under the Graydar for pacesetter status, with the latter going the opening quarter-mile in 23.66 seconds before Avery Island nudged to the front by a head, going a half-mile in 47 seconds.

Out of the turn, Avery Island settled in the upper stretch and kicked clear under jockey Joe Bravo. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee steadied away from the challengers on the main track, completing one mile in 1:37.58.

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

Avery Island won for the second time in three career starts and improved to 2-for-2 in routes. McLaughlin said he could be pointing towards the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen at 1 1/8 miles on December 2 at the Big A.

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

"It's encouraging that it wasn't a wet track or sealed or anything this time," he added. "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."

Off as the 2-1 second choice, Avery Island paid $6.30 on a $2 win wager. The Street Sense colt improved his career bankroll to $165,332.

Super Sermon, who was also coming off a maiden-breaking win on September 9 at Belmont, overtook 4-5 favorite Aveenu Malcainu in the stretch and finished a half-length in front for second. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Super Saver colt has finished in the money in each of his first three career races.

Stakes winner Aveenu Malcainu, who won the Funny Cide on August 25 at Saratoga Race Course, was third for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. The New York bred was making his first appearance since running seventh in the Grade 1 Champagne on October 7.

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