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Three-year-old fillies rarely run the 1 1/4 mile Kentucky Derby and Travers distance. However, the $600,000 Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga is an exception. In the weeks leading up to the 142nd running of the storied race, the decision to run Nest in the Alabama or the Travers would determine whether it was a walkover or a competitive race. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and the owners made the right decision and took the easy win. Nest was much the best; and, her 4 1/4 length victory was no surprise to anyone.
By Curlin out of an A.P. Indy mare, Nest has six victories in nine starts. She was second to Secret Oath in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, but has come back to beat the D. Wayne Lukas trained filly in their last two starts by a combined 16 1/2 lengths. Nest is absolutely a filly on the improve, and seems to get stronger and more powerful with each start in 2022.
Purchased for $350,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale, Nest has earned almost $2,000,000 for owners Repole Stables, Eclipse Thoroughbreds, and Michael House. Pletcher was extremely happy with the way she came out of the race and ruled out any speculation that she might take on the colts a second time at some point this year.
Nest was second in the Grade 1 Belmont in June to Mo Donegal after a troubled gate break. And that will apparently be her one and only start against the boys. Kudos to the owners and trainers for their race selection. She will be competitive in the Breeders’ Cup against older fillies and mares, but even that will not be a walkover. She might have hit the board in the Travers, but a second Grade 1 win in that race with the likes of Epicenter and Cyberknife was doubtful.
Speaking of the Travers, the draw for the $1.25 million Grade 1 “Summer Derby” was yesterday, and the field of eight has been determined. As expected, Epicenter is the 7-5 morning line favorite and will break from post position six. Trainer Brad Cox’s Cyberknife drew the one post and both Early Voting and Zandon are to the outside of Epicenter in the seven and eight posts, respectively.
An interesting newcomer to the contest is trainer Chad Brown’s Artorius. The lightly-raced son of Arrogate will be making his first graded stakes start in very deep waters. His ability to attract the services of top jockey Irad Ortiz, coupled with the fact that his sire also won this race makes him intriguing at 9-2.
I believe the aforementioned are the five legitimate contenders in the race. If Epicenter gets a clean trip he looks tough here. Cyberknife is a Grade 1 winner and has done nothing but improve. Zandon will likely hit the board as he has in half of his career starts. And wild card Artorius could surprise and give them all they can handle.
I realize I failed to include this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, as a contender. His exclusion was not an error of omission and I could very well die on that hill once again.
Good luck and a safe trip to all.
