Malathaat has only three opponents in Coaching Club American Oaks

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Malathaat, the undefeated winner of the Kentucky Oaks, will face only three rivals when she returns to the races in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.

With only four runners, the CCA Oaks has been carded as race 5 on the 11-race card.

Malathaat’s three challengers will be Clariere, winner of the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra and fourth in the Kentucky Oaks; Maracuja, runner-up in the Grade 3 Gazelle and seventh in the Kentucky Oaks; and Rockpaperscissors, whose dam, Rockcide, is a half-sister to 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide.

Malathaat drew the rail. Outside of her, in order, are Maracuja, Rockpaperscissors, and Clairiere.

Following her victory in the Kentucky Oaks, Malathaat was briefly under consideration for the Belmont Stakes. While trainer Todd Pletcher said Malathaat’s energy level was good coming out of the Kentucky Oaks, she was slow to put weight back on. So the decision was made to back off and point to the CCA Oaks and the Alabama on Aug. 21.

“We’ve been able to accomplish what we hoped, put some weight on her,” Pletcher said. “She’s never going to be one that carries excess weight. She looks better than she did, she’s trained very well. Excited about getting her going again.”

Should all go well in the two Grade 1 races at Saratoga, Malathaat will then be pointed to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, Pletcher said.