Darley’s homebred ETCHED (Forestry) posted a wire-to-wire victory on Sunday
in the $105,800
Nashua S.
(G3) at Aqueduct. With Alan Garcia sitting chilly in the saddle, the Kiaran
McLaughlin-trained juvenile strolled through easy splits of :24 1/5, :48 and
1:12 3/5, all the while tracked on the outside by Anakim (Giant’s Causeway).
Rounding the turn, Etched simply accelerated away from his rivals, crossing
under the line 6 1/2 lengths the best while stopping the clock for a mile on the
good dirt in 1:36 4/5.
“I had so much horse the whole race,” Garcia said. “He’s a big horse with a
real big stride. He liked the mile and I think he wants more distance. At the
quarter-pole I was just looking for horses, but no one could keep up with him.”
Sent off the 1-2 favorite, Etched paid $3, $2.30 and $2.10 while starting the
$7 exacta and $19.20 trifecta (2-5-3). Anak Nakal (Victory Gallop) was worth
$3.30 and $2.30 at 9-2 for overtaking Anakim by a head at the line. Show
returned $2.30 at 4-1. It was 8 1/2 lengths back to Trust N Dustan (Trust N
Luck), with Saada (Thunder Gulch) another three parts of a length back in fifth.
“He’s a very nice horse and he trains very well,” McLaughlin complimented his
charge. “The nice thing is that his attitude has gotten a little better since
his first race. He’s been a little more manageable. He’s a very talented colt.”
The Kentucky-bred chestnut broke his maiden debut by 6 3/4 lengths at Belmont
Park prior to this one and has now earned $95,880. Out of 2001 Breeders’ Cup
Distaff (G1) heroine Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled’s Song), Etched has unnamed
yearling and weanling half-sisters, both by A.P. Indy. Unbridled Elaine is
herself a half-sister to 1997 Ashland S. (G1) winner Glitter Woman (Glitterman),
who is the dam of this year’s Suburban H. (G1) hero Political Force (Unbridled’s
Song), and Gwenjinsky (Seattle Dancer), dam of multiple Grade 2 victress Lead
Story (Editor’s Note).
McLaughlin mentioned that Etched could show up next in the November 24 Remsen
S. (G2) at Aqueduct, and might even take a trip to Dubai.