Speaking brings perfect record into Nashua
Speaking puts a 2-for-2 record on the line Sunday, when he stretches out in distance and moves into graded company for the $150,000 Nashua at Belmont Park.
The Grade 3 race for 2-year-olds will be run at a one-turn mile. It shares a card with the $150,000 Zagora for fillies and mares at a mile and a half on the grass. The stakes wrap up the action at Belmont, as racing moves to Aqueduct on Thursday.
Speaking is part of a field of six in the Nashua. Others set to start include Cooke Creek, who also is 2 for 2, and Rockefeller, the potential favorite, who comes off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita.
Speaking established himself as one of the top prospects at the Monmouth Park meet. He won his career debut by 6 1/4 lengths, defeating New Jersey-breds in a maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 29.
One start later, Speaking moved into open company for the track’s Smoke Glacken, and rolled by 3 1/4 lengths. Speaking covered six furlongs in 1:10.12, and the Beyer Speed Figure of 80 that he earned is the best last-race number in the Nashua.
Speaking showed speed in both of his races, and he has a chance to slip away from his rivals Sunday. As for the added distance, he has stamina influences in his pedigree. Speaking is by Grade 1 winner Mr Speaker, who was a multiple stakes winner around two turns. Speaking’s dam, High Noon Nellie, was unraced but has produced Stiffed, a multiple stakes winner at two turns.
Speaking’s work pattern into the Nashua includes a six furlong move in 1:14.60 on Oct. 24 at Monmouth. He came back with a five-eighths drill over the same track, in 59.80 seconds Oct. 31.
Gerardo Corrales, who has ridden Speaking in his two starts, has the mount from post 3. Eddie Owens Jr. trains for breeder and owner Holly Crest Farm.
Rockefeller will break from the rail, just as he did winning his debut Aug. 28 at Del Mar. He set the pace in the maiden special weight over six furlongs and earned a Beyer of 80. Rockefeller’s other start came in the American Pharoah, when he tracked the pace and finished seventh lengths behind winner Corniche, who along with runner-up Pappacap and third-place finisher Oviatt Class were to run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Friday at Del Mar.
Rockefeller, who is cutting back to one turn after racing at a mile and a sixteenth at Santa Anita, is a son of Medaglia d’Oro and the Grade 1-winning mare Dance to Bristol. Bob Baffert trains the promising young runner for Golconda Stable, Madaket Stables, S F Racing, Siena Farm, and Starlight Racing.
John Velazquez has the mount on Rockefeller.
Cooke Creek has won both of his races at Delaware Park. He won a maiden special weight over 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 8, then came back to win the Rocky Run at a mile Oct. 16. The son of Uncle Mo and the Grade 3-winning mare Genre races for Cheyenne Stable. Manny Franco has the mount for trainer Jeremiah O’Dwyer.
The other three in the field last raced at Belmont. Midnight Worker, who is stakes-placed, is moving back to dirt following a close fourth in the Grade 3 Futurity in October. Judge Davis was a maiden special weight winner over a mile and a sixteenth Sept. 24. Cairama was a debut winner over 6 1/2 furlongs Sept. 17.
Waya rematch in Zagora
Orglandes and Always Shopping, who finished a neck apart when a respective second and third in last month’s Grade 3 Waya at 1 3/8 miles, meet again in the Zagora.
Orglandes won at this mile and a half distance earlier in her career when based in her native France. Orglandes took the Grade 3 Red Carpet a year ago at Del Mar.
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Orglandes, who might be sitting on a peak race in her third start since May, will break from the rail. Trainer Chad Brown has given the mount to Irad Ortiz Jr.
Orglandes rallied from last in the Waya, which was Oct. 3 at Belmont.
Always Shopping set the pace in the Waya, her first out since July. The Grade 2 winner will break from post 4 for the Zagora. Luis Saez has the mount for Todd Pletcher.
Beautiful Lover, who was fifth in the Waya, also returns in the Zagora. She is a stakes winner and half-sister to millionaire Zivo.