Meru has Beyer power in Nashua

The undefeated Meru will bring a Beyer Speed Figure of 95 into the Grade 3, $150,000 Nashua on Sunday at Aqueduct – a summit few 2-year-olds have reached so far in 2019.

The number ranked as North America’s second best for a juvenile as of Friday morning, behind the 97 earned by Dennis’ Moment in a maiden special weight at Ellis Park. Dennis’ Moment went on to win the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill and on Saturday was set for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Meru, meanwhile, has been prepping for the Nashua, a one-turn mile that drew a field of 10. The group includes Lebda, who was third in the Iroquois; Famished, who was fourth in the Grade 3 Pilgrim at Belmont Park; and impressive debut winners Ashaar, Chase Tracker, and Independence Hall.

Meru is the field’s most accomplished runner as a stakes winner, having captured the $75,000 Smoke Glacken on Sept. 21 at Monmouth. One start prior he won a maiden special weight at the same track, earning a Beyer of 81. Meru will be making both his graded debut and his first start beyond six furlongs on Sunday.

“It’s a logical step for him,” said Jorge Duarte Jr., who trains Meru. “The one turn is perfect, introducing more distance. The race came up a little salty, but at some point you’ve got to test these horses.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Meru, by Sky Mesa

Beyers: 95-81

◗ He covered the six furlongs of the Smoke Glacken in a blazing 1:08.93. Meru led throughout for a 3 1/4-length win for owner Colts Neck Stables.

“It was very impressive,” Duarte said. “He did things fast and easy and he cooled out very fast. He came out of the race very well.

“He’s a smart horse. He’s learning. He’s maturing. He’s doing everything right in the mornings.”

◗ Meru will break from post 8 under Javier Castellano.

“We’re fortunate with the draw we got,” Duarte said. “I don’t think we need the lead. I think coming off three-quarters, he’s going to be forwardly placed. Javier will make all the decisions on him.”

Lebda, by Raison d’Etat

Last 3 Beyers: 79-77-67

◗ He was an 11-length allowance winner at Delaware Park in August in a performance that sent him to the Iroquois. Lebda broke from post nine in the 1 1/16-mile Iroquois, and set the pace before finishing seven lengths behind Dennis’ Moment.

◗ Lebda has worked a bullet half-mile in 46.40 seconds Oct. 26 at Aqueduct in his final prep for the Nashua.

◗ Trevor McCarthy has the mount for trainer Claudio Gonzalez.

Independence Hall, by Constitution

Beyer: 74

◗ He won a maiden special weight over seven-eighths at Parx on Sept. 21 and was flattered when two horses he defeated came back to win in their next start. They included Ny Traffic, the third-place finisher who returned to win a maiden special weight at Parx with a Beyer of 84.

◗ Independence Hall is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Black Onyx.

◗ Jose Ortiz has the mount for trainer Michael Trombetta.