Nest Has Final Work Before Saratoga's Alabama

Yes, there was talk about a run in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers (G1) against the boys, but in the end, there was never any real chance that Nest  was going to go anywhere but the Aug. 20 $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

The solid filly, owned by Repole Stables, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House, had her final Alabama breeze Aug. 13, working four furlongs in :50.60 on the main track with regular exercise rider Amelia Green in the saddle.

They worked in company with fellow 3-year-old filly Up to the Mark , who was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr, who will ride Nest in the Alabama,

"I thought she did very well," trainer Todd Pletcher, back at his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track, said of the work. "Went a little bit easy in the first part and picked it up at the finish and galloped out really well. She seems to be holding her form."

The daughter of Curlin   had a rousing 12 1/4 length win in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga on July 23. She has won three of five starts this year and was second in her other two tries. Four of her starts in 2022 have been in grade 1 races.

"We did talk about it," Pletcher said of the Travers, "But we felt that as long as she was ready to run back in the Alabama, a 1 1/4 miles is perfect for her. We felt it was too good a spot to pass up."

In the Alabama, she will renew her rivalry with the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Secret Oath , who won the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) while Nest was second. Secret Oath was second in the Coaching Club American Oaks.

Pletcher also worked his Travers contender, Whisper Hill Farm's Charge It Aug. 13. He went five furlongs in a bullet 1:01.01. He worked by himself. It was the son of Tapit  's second work at Saratoga since his 23-length win in the July 2 Dwyer Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. 

"Awesome, super work," Pletcher said. "I loved the way he did it. He was moving great and galloped out strongly on a track that's not real fast."