Blofeld stays unbeaten by taking Nashua

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Five furlongs, check. Six furlongs, check. One mile, no problem. Blofeld is now 3 for 3 at increasingly longer distances after proving clearly best in the Grade 2, $250,000 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct on Sunday.

Blofeld didn't debut until Aug. 14, but he has quickly come to hand, winning a maiden race, the Grade 2 Futurity, and the Grade 2 Nashua in succession for trainer Todd Pletcher and Glencrest Farm.

In the Nashua, Blofeld relaxed early under John Velazquez, went after pacesetting El Kabeir on the turn of the mile race and then drew off in the stretch to win by five lengths.

El Kabeir, who may have been a bit too aggressive early while sprinting off to a four-length lead, was clearly second best, finishing 5 1/2 lengths in front of The Truth Or Else, who took third by a neck over First Down.

The Nashua was contested in windy conditions over a muddy, drying out track. Blofeld paid $3.90 and was timed in 1:38.89 following fractions of 23.58 seconds, 46.85, and 1:12.89.

"We've always felt like he would continue to stretch out," Pletcher said. "We talked about running here and then giving him a little break; we've also talked about coming back in the Remsen. I didn't see anything today at least from a distance standpoint - that would discourage me from looking at the Remsen."

The Grade 2, $400,000 Remsen will be run at 1 1/8 miles Aqueduct on Nov. 29.