Gaines Glad to Have Nashoba's Gold Back in Barn

In the spring of 2014, Nashoba’s Gold had established credentials as one of the top 3-year-old fillies on the West Coast.

 

But when the now 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Smart Strike runs in Saturday’s featured $75,000 Kathryn Crosby Stakes, it will be her first start in nearly nine months and she’ll be seeking her first victory in a year and a half.

 

The past, however, isn’t as much concern to trainer Carla Gaines, who’s hopeful her filly can return to the form that produced three wins and a second place finish in the first four career starts.

 

Nashoba’s Gold had scored back-to-back victories in the Grade III Providencia Stakes and Grade II Honeymoon in April and May of last year at Santa Anita and was sent off as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade I American Oaks on Memorial Day.

 

She finished fifth, beaten 5 ¼ lengths by Room Service, and came out of the race with a chip in an ankle.

 

Away seven months after surgery, Nashoba’s Gold beat only one of 14 combined rivals early this year in the Megahertz and Grade II Buena Vista Stakes  at Santa Anita. She was found to have a breathing problem which was addressed via throat surgery.

 

“I was so excited to get her here to Del Mar for the summer meet and we had plans to run her in the first (few weeks),” Gaines said. “Then she got very sick and spiked a high temperature.

 

“So, fingers crossed, if she stays well we’ll take another swing at it tomorrow,” Gaines said. “We’ll see when she races if the throat surgery worked. But as far as her breezes up to the race, they’ve been very strong.”

 

The three victories for Nashoba’s Gold in seven career starts, generating earnings of $266,880 for owner Warren B. Williamson, have all come at 1 1/8 miles, 110 yards longer than the Kathryn Crosby.

 

Nashoba’s Gold drew the No. 1 post position in a field of eight.

 

“It’s OK,” Gaines said of the inside post. “She’s a horse that comes from off the pace, so she’ll be able to save ground around the first turn and then hopefully get out and make a run for home.

 

“This might not be the perfect distance for her, but the race is up so away we go. We’re very excited to have her back,” Gaines said.

 

The field for the Kathryn Crosby from the rail: Nashoba’s Gold (Mike Smith, 5-1), Three Hearts (Joe Talamo, 7-2), Sweet as a Rose (Drayden Van Dyke, 12-1), Cast in Silver (Martin Garcia, 6-1), Beat of the Drum (Kent Desormeaux, 4-1), Energia Fribby (Mario Gutierrez, 5-1), Chaulk O Lattey (Rafael Bejarano, 3-1) and Full Ransom (Santiago Gonzalez, 12-1).