Listen Here Wins Nashua Stretch Duel

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Listen Here earned a half-length win over Monthir after dueling with that rival through the Belmont Park stretch in Friday's $109,300 Nashua Stakes (gr. III). Under Jerry Bailey, the Bill Mott-trained 2-year-old completed the mile in 1:37.61 on a fast track.

"We wanted to try him at a mile and in a stakes race, so this was the perfect spot," said Mott. "He showed a lot of determination down the stretch. It looked like he was getting carried a little wide. He was getting away from the second horse at the end. The Breeders' Cup never came up, but I'm sure if I mentioned it, the owners would have been game."

Listen Here (Gulch--Listen Now, by Storm Bird) remained undefeated while earning owners Kim and Rodney Nardelli and Lewis Lakin $65,580. The colt's previous two starts came in the maiden and allowance ranks. Kim Nardelli bred the Listen Here in Kentucky.

Monthir finished 6 1/2 lengths ahead of Thunder Days, with Sunray Spirit, Major Storm, and Brightest Ice completing the order of finish.

Listen Here paid $6.50, $3.10, and $2.90 and led a $21.60 exacta.

Earlier on the card, Mott-trained Mongoose won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race by 10 1/2 lengths. (Chart, Equibase)

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