WinStar Farm’s homebred BLUEGRASS CAT (Storm Cat) saved ground along the
inside while third under John Velazquez during Friday’s $113,300
Nashua S. (G3)
at Belmont Park, angled out between horses in midstretch and drew off for a 1
1/4-length victory. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the bay juvenile finished a mile
on the fast track in 1:36 and paid $10.40, $5.90 and $4.40 as the 4-1 second
choice.
Political Force (Unbridled’s Song) rallied from near the back, coming
out wide on the turn, to move and grab second by 1 1/2 lengths, returning $16.60
and $11.20 while ending the $220 exacta at 20-1. Diabolical (Artax) set the pace through
splits of :22 3/5, :45 1/5 and 1:09 2/5, but couldn’t hold off the winner and
runner-up, finishing third at 9-1 to give back $7.70 and finish the $1,282
trifecta. Congo King (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) rounded out the 3-9-6-1 superfecta
that was worth a nice $18,770.
Changing Weather (Storm Boot), Too Much Bling (Rubiano), Bear Character
(Dixie Union), Great Point (Point Given), Southern Success (Dixieland Band) and
Express News (Storm Cat) completed the order under the wire.
Bred in Kentucky, Bluegrass Cat broke his maiden in his second career start
last out by 6 1/2 lengths after finishing eighth in his career debut. Out of the unraced She’s a Winner (A.P. Indy), he counts Grade 2 winner Lord of the Game
(Saint Ballado) as a half-sibling and two colts, a yearling and a weanling, as
full brothers. Bluegrass Cat moved his earnings to $93,780 with this win.