Nest, Malathaat have final breezes for Breeders' Cup Distaff
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A week after working together, Breeders’ Cup Distaff co-favorites and stablemates Nest and Malathaat had different partners Saturday at Keeneland as they put in their final breezes for next Saturday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Malathaat, last year’s 3-year-old filly champion and recent Grade 1 Spinster winner, worked a half-mile in 49.61 seconds, per Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, in company with the 3-year-old maiden colt Old Point.
Nest, a three-time Grade 1 winner this year and likely 3-year-old filly champion, worked a half-mile in 50.43 seconds, per Welsch, in company with the recent maiden winner Inventing.
Trainer Todd Pletcher worked the two fillies together last week, but did not do so said Saturday saying he “did not want to risk them overachieving today.”
“Both of them are running back in 27 days so we were hoping to leave a little something in the tank, which I think is exactly what we were able to accomplish,” Pletcher said. “They both came to the wire in hand, on the bridle and looking to do more. That’s what we were shooting for.”
Meanwhile Search Results, beaten a half-length by Malathaat in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign in Saratoga on Aug. 27, worked five furlongs in 1:01.48 seconds, per Welsch. Trainer Chad Brown was extremely pleased with the filly’s move and is hopeful that she can get the 1 1/8 miles of the Distaff.
“You know, nine furlongs seems to be about 50 yards too long for her,” Brown said. “At Keeneland, this mile and an eighth, you’d hope wouldn’t be quite as challenging as a Saratoga mile and an eighth or even a Churchill Downs mile and an eighth. The track can carry a little farther here, that’s my thinking point her here.”
Awake at Midnyte, trained by Doug O’Neill, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 early Saturday morning.
- additional reporting by Marcus Hersh
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