Nashua Stakes possible for Shadwell's promising Ashaar

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin saddled Shadwell Stables' Ashaar to a debut win on Saturday at Belmont Park. Ashaar broke sharply from the gate and strolled home to victory by 2 ½ lengths in a seven-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont Park.

Bred in Kentucky by Colts Neck Farm, the bay 2-year-old by Into Mischief was purchased for $650,000 from the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the Coronado's Quest broodmare Well Spring, whose dam was two-time Grade 1 winner Chaposa Springs.

"He was a little bit backward and leggy and tall and green early on, but he came around the last six weeks or so and has a lot of ability," McLaughlin said. "We didn't know for sure how he would be in the race but he broke sharp and [jockey] Joe [Bravo] rode him great. He did everything right and we're excited about going forward."

McLaughlin said that the Grade 3, $200,000 Nashua on November 3 at Aqueduct is a possibility for Ashaar, whose name is Arabic for "brave" or "strong".

"We're looking forward to possibly the Nashua or an allowance thereafter, but we hope to run in the Nashua. He seems to have come back in good shape," McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin also mentioned the Nashua as a possibility for Ajaaweed, who was a recent fourth in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland after a second out maiden win at Belmont Park.

"He's looking at the Nashua, too, but we won't run them both," McLaughlin said. "We'll just see how they're both doing. We have the Remsen, December 7, too so hopefully they're that kind."

Ajaaweed, a Kentucky homebred, is by Curlin out of the Daaher broodmare Asiya who was twice placed against stakes company.