Chelsea Durand Photo

Our Super Nova shines bright in NYSSS Staten Island

by Ryan Martin

Our Super Nova laid in mid pack off a leisurely pace and made her move at the right time to score a first stakes win in Sunday’s $100,000 Staten Island division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Owned by trainer Charlton Baker in partnership with Michael Foster and Lauren Linn, the 4-year-old daughter of Boys At Tosconova was a head shy of victory in the Empire Distaff to Ratajkowski on October 20 at Belmont Park in her prior effort. 

Piloted by regular rider Junior Alvarado, Our Super Nova was fifth in the early stages of the seven-furlong test for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward as Carrera Cat led the eight-horse field through an opening quarter-mile in 24.05 seconds with Fair Regis in second.

Our Super Nova began inching her way closer as the field approached the far turn with Carrera Cat still in command through a half-mile in 48.31 seconds. Fair Regis inherited the lead as Carrera Cat retreated but Our Super Nova made a five-wide move in the stretch and blew past her rival powering home by 4 ½ lengths in a time 1:25.91. Fair Regis held second a nose the better of My Roxy Girl.

Completing the order of finish were Espresso Shot, Kid Is Frosty, Bluegrass Jamboree, Carrera Cat and Purrageous Dyna. Newly Minted, Filibustin and Cathy Naz were scratched. 

The win was a sixth career triumph in 19 starts for Our Super Nova who was twice stakes-placed in her career. She has finished no worse than fourth in a half-dozen starts this season. 

Baker, who was soaking up some sun in his native Jamaica, was still able to watch the race from afar. 

“I thought she ran a big race. She looked comfortable early and Junior [Alvarado] really gave her a great trip,” Baker said by phone. “Everything set up in her favor and she really performed today. I didn’t really have to give Junior any instructions. He’s ridden her four or five times previously and really gets along with her well. She certainly stepped up today.”

The win was a second stakes victory of the meet for Alvarado, who guided Golden Award to a win in the Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm last Saturday. 

“I thought I was in a good position. Last time we broke slow and she was even further back, but she made up a lot of ground,” Alvarado said. “I wasn't worried. I just wanted to make sure she was comfortable and in a nice rhythm so I would have horse left at the end. She was travelling very comfortably and when I asked her, she gave me a big kick at the end.”

Our Super Nova banked $55,000 in victory bringing her lifetime earnings to $277,070, while improving her record to 19-6-4-2. She returned $7.90 for a $2 win bet. 

Bred in New York by Tracy Egan, Our Super Nova is out of the Crimson Guard broodmare White Wedding Day.