Nest makes it look easy in Suncoast Stakes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Nest continued her ascent toward the upper echelons of the 3-year-old filly division after cruising to an easy and very popular six-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Nest, a daughter of Curlin, was an impressive debut winner going a 1 1/16 miles on September 25 at Belmont Park. After finishing third, beaten less than a length, turning back to one mile in the Tempted Sakes, Nest rebounded to register a popular neck decision when stretching to 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 2 Demoiselle in her Juvenile finale.
With regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Nest rated in perfect striking position while three wide during the early stages of the one mile, 40 yard Suncoast. She stuck her head in front while still reserved approaching the stretch, disposed of Alittleloveandluck once sharply roused nearing the furlong grounds, and increasing her advantage steadily thereafter.
Alittleloveandluck, who switched to the main track after registering back-to-back victories on turf and the Tapeta course at Gulfstream Park, prompted the early pace, held a short advantage on the second turn, could not stay with the winner when challenged upon settling into the stretch, but proved easily best of the others. Blamethechampagne finished third.
Nest is trained by Todd Pletcher for the partnership of Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbreds. She ran the distance over a fast track in 1:39.30 and returned $2.60.
The Suncoast was a Kentucky Oaks qualifier, with points awarded on a 10-4-2-1 basis.
“I was delighted with her race, she put herself in a good spot, finished up well, galloped out good, it was the prep race we were hoping for coming back,” said Pletcher, who watched the Suncoast from Gulfstream Park. “I think with her pedigree she’s supposed to get better with age and more distance. She’s already won at a mile and one eighth, and we’re looking forward to stretching her out. We kind of talked about the Ashland for her next start. We’ll see how she comes out of this.”
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