Pletcher More Impressed With Nest Day After Alabama

The day after her smashing victory in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Todd Pletcher was more impressed with his 3-year-old filly Nest  than he was on race day.

"I could not be more happy with her," Pletcher said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track Aug. 21. "I went back and watched the replay a couple times and was even more impressed when I watched it."

Pletcher said he was not sure what will come next for the daughter of Curlin  , who is owned by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Michael House.

The options include training up to the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland or making another start, in either the $250,000 Beldame (G2) at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet Oct. 9 or the $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) at Keeneland on the same day. 

If Pletcher opted for either of those races, Nest would be facing 3-year-olds and up.

Nest certainly appears to be the front-runner for the champion 3-year-old filly, but Pletcher will not begin to look at that right now. He has seen some things happen in the past. In 2013, he trained King of Prussia Stable's Princess of Sylmar  to wins in the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Alabama, and Beldame Invitational Stakes (G1). Then she lost to Beholder  in the Breeders' Cup Distaff and lost the Eclipse.

"Beholder back-doored the Distaff and upset us," Pletcher said. "Sometimes, the Eclipse voters have short-term memories."