Speightstown’s brilliantly fast 3-year-old colt turned in a track-record performance in winning Saturday’s $125,000 Perrryville S. at Keeneland, blazing through six furlongs in 1:07.89.
Despite setting very fast fractions of :21.54 and :43.87, the bay colt continued to pull away from the field in upper stretch. Though he was under no urging at any point from Ricardo Santana, Jr., he won by 3 1/2-lengths on the fast main track.
“I think, what a rare and unique talent he is, and we’re doing all we can to keep it around,” trainer Steve Asmussen said of the colt who was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), but opted for the Perryville.
Nashville has won all three of his starts by a combined 24 lengths. Saturday’s win upped his earnings for China Horse Club and WinStar Farm to $157,200.
Nashville was bred in Kentucky by Breffni Farm out of the Mizzen Mast mare Veronique. He is the first stakes winner for his dam. Veronique is out of a full sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo.
Speightstown’s progeny have earned nearly $10 million to date in 2020, placing him in the top five on this year’s General Sire list. Nashville is his 14th stakes winner this year.
