Nostalgic slipped through an opening along the rail drew off to win the G3 Gazelle Stakes by one-and-a-quarter lengths at Aqueduct Saturday, 9 April.
The victory earned the three-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly 100 points toward a berth in the G1 Kentucky Oaks on May 6. The Gazelle marked the first Graded Stakes win for Nostalgic, who entered the race off a sharp score in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park in March.
Nostalgic was hustled out of the starting gate before being settled in mid-pack, as favored Venti Valentine led through a moderate opening quarter. The Godolphin homebred moved up into third as the half went in :49.26. Hot on the leader's tail turning for home, she slipped through an opening along the rail, challenged Venti Valentine briefly for the lead before she kicked clear in deep stretch to notch the victory.
Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Nostalgic is out of the Stakes-placed Tapit mare, Been Here Before. Second dam, Connie Belle, is a Stakes-winning half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner/G1 winner, Bob And John. Both Connie Belle and Bob And John are out of the Graded Stakes winning mare, Minister’s Melody.
Medaglia d’Oro has now sired 88 Group/Graded winners including 26 that have won at G1 level. Nostalgic became the stallion’s second Graded Stakes winner of the afternoon, joining Prevalence, who took the G3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2022 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $100,000, stands and nurses.
