Nest to make next start in Beldame
ELMONT, N.Y. - Nest, the leader of the 3-year-old filly division, will likely make her next start in the Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame Stakes at Aqueduct on Oct. 9, trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Nest is a three-time Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly who recorded convincing victories in both the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama during the summer at Saratoga. The fact there is 11 weeks between the Alabama and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff made simply training up to that Nov. 4 race a less than desirable option.
“Is there some risk in running and then going back in 27 days and maybe that not being enough time?” Pletcher mused. “Maybe the fact that she ran so well in the Coaching Club and then came back 28 days later and ran so well in the Alabama gives you confidence that she can do that.
“I think it’s one of those situations you can think about 100 different ways and she’s just so good probably whatever you do is okay,” Pletcher added.
Nest, a daughter of Curlin owned by Mike Repole and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, is 4 for 6 this year with her only two defeats coming when second to Secret Oath in the Kentucky Oaks and Mo Donegal in the Belmont Stakes.
On Sunday, Nest worked five furlongs in 1:01.21 in company with the 3-year-old colt Pioneer of Medina on the Belmont Park training track.
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