Malathaat may target BC Distaff, but Classic also an option

The summer goal was defined early on for Malathaat and was achieved on Saturday when she won the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga.

The goal for the fall is less defined. While trainer Todd Pletcher told the New York Racing Association publicity department Sunday morning that the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 6 is “the most likely scenario,” Rick Nichols, the racing manager for Shadwell Stable, which owns Malathaat, said Sunday the $6 million Classic “will be an option that we would look at.

“Did you notice how she galloped out?” Nichols added. “By the time she got to the turn, she’s about 15 lengths ahead of everybody.”

Malathaat was a widening 1 1/2-length winner of the Alabama, adding to a resume that includes the Grade 1 Ashland and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. The Alabama was run at 1 1/4 miles, the same distance of the Classic. An evaluation of the competition at 1 1/4 miles would be one of the factors that would be considered regarding a possible Classic bid.

Following her victory in the Kentucky Oaks, Malathaat was under consideration for the Belmont Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on June 5. Soon after the Oaks, however, it was determined Malathaat would benefit from more time between races and the opportunity to put more weight on for a summer campaign, which included the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama.

On July 24, Malathaat, racing on the lead, ran a winning race, but lost the Coaching Club American Oaks by a head to Maracuja. On Saturday, with an off-the-pace trip, she won the Alabama by 1 1/2 lengths over Clairiere. The race was run over a drying-out, good track.

“It was definitely a demanding mile and a quarter,” Pletcher said Sunday in a television interview. “I thought [2:02.59] was a very solid time on that type of track.”

Malathaat earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for her Alabama win.

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Following the death of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum in March, Shadwell Stable is now being run by his daughter Sheikha Hissa Hamdan al Maktoum and son Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan.

Nichols said he would talk with both of them to get input on which Breeders’ Cup race to target.

“I got a feeling if Sheikh Hamdan was still alive that he would vote to run her in the Classic, because he was such a great sportsman,” Nichols said. “He doesn’t mind taking on a challenge.”