A field of five juveniles, including one Florida-bred filly, will contest Friday’s $150,000 Nashua Stakes going a mile at Belmont at the Big A.
Whatintheliteral, a dark bay/brown daughter of Lord Nelson out of the Freud mare Lilikoi, represents the Sunshine State against her male rivals. Bred by Bella Inizio Farm, LLC, the filly has already compiled an ambitious campaign for trainer Jena M. Antonucci and owners horseOlogy Racing and Craig Steinhart. After breaking her maiden in the Astoria Stakes at Saratoga, she’s tested stakes company multiple times, including a second in the Hallandale Beach Stakes and most recently a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes. Jose Lezcano takes the ride on the 20-1 morning line outsider.
Race favorite It’s Hammertime (6-5) brings an unblemished record into the Nashua. The Maryland-bred has won all three of his starts by convincing margins. After a maiden victory at Delaware Park in June, he captured the First State Dash Stakes at Delaware Park by five lengths and most recently scored in the $125,000 Rocky Run Stakes, earning a 97 and 93 Equibase Speed Figures, respectively. Jorge Ruiz picks up the mount.
Tony Eclipse, the 2-1 second choice, looks to turn the tables on It’s Hammertime after finishing second to that rival in the Rocky Run Stakes. The Maryland-bred trained by Brittany T. Russell, broke his maiden at Laurel Park in September before his runner-up effort in stakes company. Jevian Toledo has been named to ride the improving colt.
Completing the field are Studlydoright (Xavier Perez, 9-2) and Vekoma Rides (Kendrick Carmouche, 3-1).
