Nest doing so well Pletcher tweaks her schedule; CCA Oaks likely next
ELMONT, N.Y. - Nest, the Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly who finished second in the Belmont Stakes, will most likely make her next start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga on July 23, trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday.
Following her gallant second-place finish to stablemate Mo Donegal in the Belmont Stakes, Pletcher said the Grade 1 Alabama on Aug. 20 was the main goal for the summer for Nest. After breezing her twice since the Belmont, including a five-furlong move in 1:02.70 on Friday, Pletcher said he doesn’t see the need to wait until late August to run Nest back.
“She came out of the race so well, has come back with a couple of good breezes, if everything continues to go smoothly we’re leaning that way, Pletcher said. “You hate to sit on one that’s training really well.”
Pletcher said he also liked the idea of running in both the CCA Oaks and Alabama and then waiting for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Nov. 5 as opposed to running in the Alabama and then running in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland or Grade 2 Beldame in New York. He ruled out the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx because he doesn’t want to cut her back to 1 1/16 miles.
Nest worked in company with the 3-year-old colt Make It Big, finishing a length or so in front of that one. Make It Big won his first three starts before finishing 10th in the Sam. F Davis at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. then, he has been with Pletcher all spring. Pletcher said the $135,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 29 is a possibility.
* Big names on Friday’s worktab included Jack Christopher, who went five furlongs in 1:01.55 in company with Artorius. Jack Christopher, the two-time Grade 1 winner, is on target for the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 23 for trainer Chad Brown.
Among Brown’s turf workers Friday were the undefeated Bleecker Street and Rougier, who went five furlongs in 1:04.34 after crawling away from the pole and going an opening eighth in 14.41 seconds. Both fillies are scheduled to run in the Grade 1 Diana on July 16.
Bella Sofia, the Grade 1 winner who took the Grade 2 Vagrancy in her most recent start, worked five furlongs over the main track in 1:03.74. She is possible for the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap on July 27 at Saratoga.