Group Three Winner for Van Nistelrooy
10th November 2008
Consistent colt Nistle’s Crunch (3c Van Nistelrooy x Sam Eye Am, by Island Whirl) overcame a chequered passage in the home straight to seize his first Black Type success in the Group Three Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sunday.
The handsome bay was forced to change course twice in the stretch, but came with a late surge to win the 1 and 1/16th mile event on turf by half a length for the Kenneth McPeek stable.
“He was dressed and ready at every point down the lane,” said winning rider Robby Albarado.
“I just bided my time and waited for some room. I had some opening at the eighth pole, and tried to dive in there but got squeezed out. Fortunately I got out late, and he came home nice.”
Bred and retained to race by Alien Farm, Nistle’s Crunch had been stakes-placed four times previously and now boasts the overall record of four wins and seven placings from 14 starts with prizemoney of $356,251.
The eleventh stakes-winner worldwide for young Storm Cat sire Van Nistelrooy, Nistle’s Crunch is from the stakes-winning Island Whirl mare Sam Eye Am.