Nest dominates Ashland Stakes, earns 100 Kentucky Oaks points
Lexington, Ky.
Nest went off as the 8-5 favorite in Friday’s Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland at Keeneland on Friday and had a battle on her hands in the early going. By the wire, the Curlin filly trained by Todd Pletcher had gone by everyone, winning the race by 8 1/4 lengths to earn 100 points toward the Kentucky Oaks.
Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which own Nest in a partnership with Repole Stable and Michael House, said the dominant performance was expected.
“All credit goes to Todd,” Wellman said. “He’s just the master. When he’s got a target, he doesn’t miss the bull’s-eye too often.”
Interstatedaydream took the early lead in the 1 1/16-mile Ashland, run over a track labeled as wet-fast, although it was shown on the tote board to be muddy. Fractions for the race went by in 24.24, 28.82, 1:13.25 and 1:38.16.
When the eight fillies reached the second turn, it was time for Nest to make her move. Under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., the filly went four wide and overtook Interstatedaydream to get the lead at the top of the stretch.
Nest pulled away late to finish the job, completing the race with a winning time of 1:44.16.
Pletcher said he was pleased by the performance.
“We felt really good coming into the race,” Pletcher said. “She was training super. She’s had a really good winter, early spring.”
The focus for Nest, who entered the Ashland off a win in the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs, now turns to the May 6 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Pletcher won the race last year with Malathaat, who also entered the race off an Ashland win.
The 2022 edition of the Oaks is likely to include a stout field, featuring the likes of Honeybee (G3) winner Secret Oath and Echo Zulu, who qualified with a win in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
Pletcher currently has three fillies in the top 14 for the Oaks, with Nest (120 points), Goddess of Fire (62 points) and Shahama (50 points). The trainer said he felt Nest would fit in the race well.
“Looks like a super deep group,” Pletcher says. “A lot of high-quality fillies. I think she put herself towards the top of that list with that performance today.”
Wellman acknowledged that a win in the Oaks would not be an easy feat for Nest. He said barring unforeseen circumstances, the filly would be pointed toward that race.
“It’s an incredible group of fillies,” Wellman said. “Whoever walks away with those lilies in four weeks time is really going to earn it.”
Cocktail Moments finished second, while Interstatedaydream completed the trifecta. Nest returned $5.40 for the win.