| Age | Starts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Earnings | |
| 4 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | $972,090 |
|
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | $280,000 |
|
At 4: 1– Vanity Invitational H. (G1), Yellow Ribbon S. (G1), Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2), Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Fran's Valentine S.
At 5: 1– Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1), 2– San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf S.
Last Start
Won Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) on Sept. 29 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita
Contender Status
Nashoba's Key found herself boxed in by Balance on the turn and into the stretch of the August 5 Clement L. Hirsch Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, but when jockey Joe Talamo was finally able to angle her out nearing midstretch she simply exploded, charging home for a half-length victory over Bai and Bai.
"Words can't explain this filly," Talamo said after the Hirsch. "Unbelievable...whatever you want to call her. She's just something."
She has certainly been something for trainer Carla Gaines, who honed her craft for many years in Northern California. The Hirsch was Nashoba's Key's sixth consecutive victory from six career starts.
Three-for-three on both dirt and turf, Nashoba's Key offered Gaines a number of options and she decided the best road to the Breeders' Cup was the September 29 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1) on the turf at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
Make that record seven-for-seven after Nashoba's Key stalked front-running Citronnade in the Yellow Ribbon before edging past for a three-quarter length victory.
"I think she's improving with every race," Talamo said after the Yellow Ribbon. "I knew Citronnade was running easily, but Nashoba has such a big kick. Once she gets going, she's like a big train."
Nashoba's Key's versatility offers Gaines the possibility of either the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) or the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on Monmouth's main track.
"If all goes well, we're leaning towards the Filly and Mare Turf, especially since she just won a Grade 1 race at a mile and a quarter on the grass, but you have to go race by race," Gaines said.
October 22 - Nashoba's Key galloped at Santa Anita and was scheduled to ship to Monmouth on Wednesday.
"She was not successful biting anybody this morning," trainer Carla Gaines said after the gallop, "but she got an A for effort."
October 19 - Five furlongs handily in 1:00.80 at Santa Anita Park, all-weather track fast. 15th best of 35 workouts at the distance.
October 12 - Four furlongs handily in :47.20 at Santa Anita Park, all-weather track fast. Eighth best of 40 workouts at the distance.
Trainer Carla Gaines, on the importance of Nashoba Key's victory in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1):
"It's an unbelievable feeling. There's no doubt Nashoba has helped my career. When you're a kid, you dream about winning races like this. It's just awesome. She's brought me to the next level."