Nashoba’s Key dashes to victory
Sensational. Incredible. Impressive. Those are just a few of the observations uttered around Hollywood Park on Sunday after the performance of unbeaten Nashoba’s Key, a 4-year-old filly who unleashed a furious burst of speed in mid-stretch to rally from fourth place and win the $175,000 Milady Handicap by three-quarters of a length on the Cushion Track.
And it wasn’t just your average horses Nashoba’s Key, under apprentice jockey Joe Talamo, ran down to improve to four for four in her career while recording a time of 1:42.16 for 1 1/16 miles.
Hystericalady, a Grade I winner in her previous race, finished second and Balance, a multiple Grade I winner, was third.
“I’ve never been on a horse with that kind of acceleration,” Talamo said.
Owned and bred by Warren B. Williamson, Nashoba’s Key is the first foal from Nashoba, a three-time turf winner.
Williamson said he received help from a computer printout detailing bloodlines before choosing the sire Silver Hawk, the second-place finisher in the 1982 Irish Sweeps Derby.
“She has a very explosive kick, and we were waiting to see if she would exhibit that on this track as she does on the grass, and she certainly did,” trainer Carla Gaines said.
Sent off at 5-1, Nashoba’s Key paid $12.80 for the Grade II victory. Next up could be a start in the $300,000 Vanity Handicap at 1 1/8 miles July 7.
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The breeding rights for Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and Derby runner-up Hard Spun have been purchased by Darley Stud. The horses will stand at Darley near Lexington, Ky., when their racing careers are over.
A confidentiality clause prevents release of financial terms, according to Dan Pride, chief operating officer of Darley USA.
Darley also owns Street Cry, the sire of Street Sense, and Street Sense’s dame, Bedazzle. Hard Spun, a son of Danzig, is scheduled to run in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
Street Sense won’t participate in the Belmont in preparation for a fall campaign aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
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