Rockefeller leads all the way in Nashua Stakes
Rockefeller became a stakes winner Sunday when he led throughout for a 2 3/4-length victory over Cooke Creek in the Grade 3, $150,000 Nashua at Belmont Park.
It was another 2 3/3 lengths back in third to Judge Davis.
The Nashua was a one-turn mile for 2-year-olds.
Rockefeller was the 4-5 favorite on the strength of his most recent company line, having finished fourth to eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Corniche in the Grade 1 American Pharoah in October at Santa Anita.
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Rockefeller ($3.60) on Sunday set fractions of 23.02 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.75 for the half-mile while pushed along by stakes winner Speaking. The eventual winner shook that foe through six furlongs in 1:11.61 and continued on while covering the distance on a fast track in 1:36.65.
Jockey Luis Saez was aboard for trainer Bob Baffert.
Rockefeller, who was a debut winner in August at Del Mar, is a son of Medaglia d’Oro. Rockefeller’s dam, Dance to Bristol, was a Grade 1 winner in New York. Rockefeller races for the partnership of Golconda Stable, Madaket Stables, S F Racing, Siena Farm, Starlight Racing, Masterson, and Stonestreet Stables.
Cooke Creek came into the Nashua with a 2-for-2 record that included the Rocky Run at a mile Oct. 16 at Delaware Park. Judge Davis was a maiden special weight winner over 1 1/16 miles on Sept. 24 at Belmont.
Rockefeller earned $82,500 for the win Sunday. He now is 2 for 3 for earnings of $142,500. The horse was bred by Colts Neck Stables.
Orglandes wins Zagora
Orglandes was up for a neck win over Beautiful Lover in the $150,000 Zagora on the undercard Sunday. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Candy Flower.
The Zagora was for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on the grass. The turf was firm.
Orglandes ($3.50), who was coming off a runner-up finish in last month’s Grade 3 Waya at Belmont, stalked the pace set by Candy Flower. Orglandes advanced, then rallied through the stretch to win in 2:29.28.
Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard for trainer Chad Brown.
Orglandes is a daughter of Le Havre who races for the partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables and Michael Caruso. Dubb closed out a big weekend at Belmont Park, as three horses he co-owns won stakes at the track Saturday.
Orglandes has now won 5 of 14 starts for earnings of $302,442.