Nashua

A solid group of eight two-year-old colts will line up to contest the $100,000
Nashua S. (G3) over the main oval at Aqueduct on Friday. ADORE THE GOLD (Formal
Gold) has been an easy winner in his only two career starts and could continue
that trend while making his graded debut here. Trained by Michael Gorham, the
dark bay colt earned a 102 BRIS Speed rating while taking his career debut by 10
3/4 lengths at Delaware Park. Adore the Gold stepped up to stakes company in the
1 1/16-mile Dover S. at that same track, posting a 2 1/2-length score while
earning a 105 Speed figure. He’s been working well to prepare for this mile
event and looks best of
these under Joseph Rocco.

The Todd Pletcher-conditioned COWTOWN CAT (Distorted Humor) was visually impressive in his maiden
tally and could continue his winning ways here. The $1.5 million
two-year-old in training purchase was always in control in his latest and
finished the 5 1/2 furlongs in a swift 1:03 3/5, without being persevered with.
This barn knows how to place its horses, and it appears that this colt landed in a
good spot
for his stakes debut. A quintet of solid works and the presence of John
Velazquez could see him getting his picture taken.

DAY PASS (Five Star Day) was steadied at the start and was last early in his
debut, but the Kiaran McLaughlin charge made amends for his lackluster beginning
with a huge closing run under Fernando Jara. The expensive two-year-old purchase
has the appearance of a horse that will be a factor not only now, but as a
sophomore as well, and has a big shot in here with minor improvement. This barn
usually fires better with second-time starters.

SIGHTSEEING (Pulpit) is the confirmed late runner in the bunch and would
likely be the one to pick up the pieces if the speed backs up. The Shug
McGaughey pupil completed his final three-sixteenths in a superb :31 last out
and smoked a bullet five panels in advance of this, leading us to believe he’s
primed for a good showing. Edgar Prado will retain the mount on the dark
bay.

TRADING STAR (Hennessy) showed major improvement in his second career start
for Rick Violette and could challenge for a placing here at generous odds. The
well-bred bay was the easiest of winners most recently and has trained forwardly
in preparation for his stakes debut. The colt is well drawn on the inside and may
be the early speed of the race, making him the one to catch. If allowed to
dawdle on the front, the April foal could prove stubborn in the latter stages
beneath Javier Castellano. XCHANGER (Exchange Rate) broke his maiden and
captured the Sapling S. (G3) in his first two starts, but didn’t do so well in
the Champagne S. (G1) last out, running sixth. The gray colt’s numbers are a bit
below others in here, but his experience could earn him a check.

SIPSEY (Peruvian) has faced lesser with mixed results and looks a cut below
the top ones in here. The switch to two turns could help the colt, but we’ll
still take a pass. PINK VIPER (Smoke Glacken) broke his maiden in his two-turn
debut last out, but we’re not fond of two-year-olds making their eighth start in
November.