Nostalgic likely Kentucky Oaks bound
About 30 minutes after winning the Carter, trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin won the Grade 3, $250,000 Gazelle Stakes with Nostalgic, who is likely headed for the Kentucky Oaks on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
“Just waiting on confirmation that’s what everybody wants to do,” Mott said Sunday. “I’m sure everybody will be in favor of it.”
While Nostalgic may not be considered among the elite contenders for what is shaping up to be a deep Oaks, she does have a win at 1 1/8 miles, which is not something that all the top names such as Secret Oath, Kathleen O. and Echo Zulu possess.
“The thing is, a mile and an eighth at Churchill with a fast pace is a pretty difficult trip for some if they don’t want to get the distance,” Mott said. “I don’t think that’s any problem for our girl.”
Nostalgic finished fourth behind Nest in last year’s Demoiselle going 1 1/8 miles here. Nest has since come back to win the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs and the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, making her one of the top Oaks contenders. Nostalgic has a different running style as a 3-year-old than she did last year. She is now able to lay closer to the pace and still finish.
Mott said last year Nostalgic “just hadn’t learned how to put in that kind of run, she hadn’t learned how to get that position. It all goes together, maturity and time.”
Meanwhile, Jorge Abreu, the trainer of Gazelle runner-up Venti Valentine, said he’d be more inclined to skip the Oaks and point to the Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn at Belmont on June 11, but would consult his owners before making a final decision.
“I don’t mind running her a mile and an eighth, but I think she’s a better miler,” said Abreu, who also thought running Venti Valentine back in four weeks and shipping may not be ideal.