Nostalgic pounces in G3 Gazelle Stakes

Nostalgic prospered under a ground-saving ride as she stayed on bravely up the inner rail to take the G3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct, USA, on Saturday, 9 April.

Jose Ortiz immediately grabbed the inside on the Medaglia d’Oro filly, who disputed third with Divine Huntress as Venti Valentine and Classy Edition led the seven-strong field of three-year-old fillies.

Nostalgic continued to save ground and moved up to make her challenge a furlong and a half from home.

The Bill Mott-trained filly quickened through a small gap down the rail to hit the front with half a furlong left before asserting close home, prevailing by a length and a quarter over Venti Valentine.

Bill Mott said: “Last time, we planned on putting Nostalgic up in the race a little bit, which we did again today. We wanted to see her engaged early a little more and she did it. She held her position and came through on the rail.”

Jose Ortiz said: “Nostalgic has progressed a lot. She used to give herself a lot to do in her races but the last two times, she has broken a lot better and put me into a better position.

“I was waiting for Manny Franco to drop on Venti Valentine but he never did. I had enough horse to go through a gap and Nostalgic responded very well when I asked her to go.”