The Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) is one of the better 3-year-olds in North America, if not the best, attracting elite kids from all over the country.
This year’s race is May 6 at Churchill Downs is shaping up to be exceptionally talented, expected to attract the undefeated Echo Zulu and Kathleen O. invaders from California, and Secret Vow The talented miss finished third ahead of the men in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Oh, and Nest —Winner 8 1/4 length of $587,488 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland April 8.
As the president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Nest co-owner Aron Wellman, noted after Ashland, “It’s a killer cast of employees lining up for the first Friday in May.”
In Ashland, he showed her to be one of those killers.
After placing in fourth place early in Ashland, she weathered an extensive ride to reel in pacesetting Interstatedaydream second turn late. She then sped away from the competition to a favorable victory at the hands of Irad Ortiz Jr. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Repole Stable and Michael House are owned by themselves. Curlin filly raced 1 1/16 miles on wet fast track in 1:44.16, paying $5.40 as a minor favorite.
“That was great. She traveled perfectly the whole time,” said Ortiz, who won Friday’s final three races on the 10-race card at Keeneland. “She moves great. At the three-eighth column, I asked her a little bit, and she went forward, more than I wanted.”
The initial move took nothing from her. Despite not being extremely demanding in the lane, she finished Ashland’s final sixteenth leg in six seconds.
Cocktail moment rose from Saturday to grab second with a shot against Interstatedaydream, who waned late after being chased led by the intense sprinter Happy soul through moderate divisions of: 24.24, :48.82 and 1:13.25. Awake At Midnyte is 2 3/4 the other length back in fourth place.
The top four finishers earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks, distributed on a 100-40-20-10 scale. The winner and runner-up have enough points to enter Oaks, with totals of 120 and 52. Interstatedaydream (20) and Awake At Midnyte (24) may not have enough Oaks points to warrant entry into the 14th race. horse.
Interstatedaydream coach Brad Cox said shortly after Ashland that he was initially inclined to pursue an easier race than the Oaks with his doubles bets being placed vaguely.
Kenny McPeek, coach of Dixiana Farms’ Cocktail Moments, said he was pleased with his effort.
“We could have easily run in an allowance race and were probably fine,” he said. “Anytime you can run and be 1st grade, that’s a big deal for this scum. Very happy.”
When asked about running for office at Oaks, McPeek said he would consult with “dirty ownership” before deciding.
Nest improved to 4v5 taking Ashland, her 1st grade. Last year Demoiselle Stakes (G2) in Aqueduct race track was her most prestigious win, and she added a non-decentralized Suncoast Share at Tampa Bay Downs in her Ashland adjustment.
“God, this is the performance we were hoping to see,” Wellman said. “Again, all credit goes to Todd (Coach Pletcher). He’s just a master. When he has a goal, he doesn’t often miss the heart.”
Nest is led towards the winner’s circle in the yard after defeating Ashland
Eclipse previously won’t COVID-19 postpone Ashland partnership with Madaket Stables with Michael McCarthy trained Stated in 2020. The speech was then awarded third place in the 2020 Kentucky Oaks upon disqualification Gamine for a drug violation.
Nest’s next goal in four weeks is the Kentucky Oaks, a race that Pletcher has won four times, including last year’s edition with Shadwell Stable’s Malathaat Ashland winner 2021.
Pletcher said the Nest is a stubborn person “bred to run as far as they write.” Oaks is sixteen years longer than Ashland, which is 1 1/8 mile.
“It looked like a bunch of super deep, lots of high-quality sealant,” Pletcher said of the Oaks painting. “I think she put herself at the top of the list with that performance today.”
Nest was bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables. It was sold to Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Mike Repole for $350,000 as an Ashview Farm shipment for the September 2020 Sale in Keeneland.
Out of winnings AP Indy mare Marion Ravenwood Nest is the full sister of the hero Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in 2021 Idol and a half-sister with two deposits Dr. Jack (Pioneer of the Nile). Four of the dam’s six ponies are winners from five starts. Her only pony that hasn’t started is a 2 year old pony of Violence named Lost Ark.
Nest retreats from the courtyard in the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland
Video: Ashland S. Central Bank (G1)
