Nasa looks formidable in Chris Elser Memorial

The co-features at Parx Racing on Sunday are a pair of South Carolina residency stakes for 2-year-olds. To be eligible for these races, a horse must have spent 90 days in South Carolina and be nominated to the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

If that sounds unusual, remember that young horses have been sent to South Carolina to receive their early schooling for decades, and the non-betting Aiken Trials, primarily for 2-year-olds and maidens, are a spring tradition dating to 1942.

The 19 2-year-olds entered in Sunday’s races were bred in a number of states: Kentucky (8), Pennsylvania (5), Maryland (3), New York (2), and New Jersey (1).

The races have estimated purses of $75,000 each and will be run at 6 1/2 furlongs. The Christopher Elser Memorial, race 8, is for colts and geldings. The Donna Freyer, race 7, is for fillies.

Elser Memorial, race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Nasa (Last 2 Beyers: 77-57)

Strictly the horse to beat based on his winning 77 Beyer Speed Figure.

A Smarty Jones colt trained by John Servis, he was second-best the first time out behind front-running debut winner Flagndini and then won his second start by 9 1/4 lengths.

Struth, the runner-up in Nasa’s maiden win, came back to win his next start at Parx by 2 1/4 lengths.

Savvy Street (Last 2 Beyers: 67-44)

Trainer Donald Barr, as of Friday morning, was 6 for 14 with 2-year-olds this year. He has the filly Mondor in the other stakes on this card.

Was sixth behind Nasa while making his debut Sept. 27 and then came back to win a one-mile maiden race over a sloppy track at Laurel by 3 3/4 lengths.

Mini Cosmo (Debut Beyer: 49)

Raced greenly in his debut but still was able to rally from far back while wide to win going away for trainer Graham Motion.

Although the Beyer for his debut win came back relatively low, he has every right to improve here.

Duff (Last 3 Beyers: 50-63-63)

Duff is the stronger part of an entry. His third to Hashtag Bourbon in the Mountaineer Juvenile was a good effort.

Freyer Stakes, race 7

KEY CONTENDERS

Miss Bullistic (Last 3 Beyers: 29-82-71)

Has the highest Beyers in the field, but her best efforts have come on turf.

Kawfee Fa Marfa (Last 2 Beyers: 68-59)

Won her debut in a restricted stakes at Delaware Park in the slop and then switched to turf for the 5 1/2-furlong Selima, rallying to finish sixth behind Miss Bullistic while having to steady in the stretch.

Should enjoy the added ground of this 6 1/2-furlong race.

Mondor (Debut Beyer: 43)

Won her debut in a $40,000 maiden claimer at Laurel by 10 1/2 lengths.