Although no official decision has been made yet regarding Nest’s status in the Belmont Stakes, all signs appear to suggest she will join stablemate Mo Donegal in an attempt to accomplish something even Rags to Riches didn’t do, which is to defeat the Kentucky Derby winner in the Test of the Champions. ~ Steve Haskin
Nest Hatches New Plot to Steal Belmont For the Girls
By Steve Haskin
Photo courtesy of Ryan Coady
It was 15 years ago when Rags to Riches became the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes and only the third in the history of the race. Could Nest duplicate that feat if her connections decide to run? Obviously we don’t know how she stacks up against these colts, but we do know the remarkable similarities between her and Rags to Riches, and the ironic fact that Nest is a daughter of Curlin, who was beaten a head by Rags to Riches in the Belmont.
Nest’s sire, Curlin, is out of a Deputy Minister mare.
Rags to Riches is out of a Deputy Minister mare.
Nest has Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Seattle Slew in her 3rd and 4th generation.
Rags to Riches has Triple Crown winners Secretariat and Seattle Slew in her 2nd and 3rd generation.
Nest is out of an A.P. Indy mare.
Rags to Riches is by A.P. Indy.
Nest’s female family is from the Bold Ruler line through his son Boldnesian.
Rags to Riches’ male family is from the Bold Ruler line through his son Boldnesian.
Nest’s tail-female family traces to Alibhai though Your Hostess, granddam of Majestic Prince, winner of the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
Rags to Riches’ tail-female family traces to Alibhai through Traffic Judge, winner of the first two legs of the Handicap Triple Crown.
Nest would go into the Belmont Stakes off four career victories.
Rags to Riches went into the Belmont Stakes off four career victories.
Nest is coming into the race off the Kentucky Oaks, in which she ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 4/5.
Rags to Riches came into the race off the Kentucky Oaks, in which she ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 4/5.
Nest’s Dosage Index is 3.00.
Rags to Riches’ Dosage Index is 3.00.
Nest won the Ashland Stakes before running in the Kentucky Oaks.
Rags to Riches’ second dam Blush With Pride won the Ashland Stakes before running in the Kentucky Oaks.
And of course, Nest is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Rags to Riches was trained by Todd Pletcher.
As for Nest’s stamina credentials, three of her four great-grandsires sired a Belmont Stakes winner and the other sired a Kentucky Derby winner. Her sire and broodmare sire both won the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Three of the last five fillies to run in the Belmont Stakes have finished first (Rags to Riches), second (Genuine Risk), and third (My Flag). Many believe Genuine Risk would have won had she not been stuck down on the rail in the mud most of the race and between horses with nowhere to go and forced to make an early move.
Looking at her second-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks, she broke a bit flat-footed and fell back before getting to the rail and making an early move down the backstretch from eighth, about eight lengths off the pace, to third, two lengths back. But the two leaders were directly in front of her and Irad Ortiz had to sit and wait while Secret Oath made a sweeping move to take the lead and open up by two lengths. When Nest finally swung wide, losing ground, and got clear, Secret Oath was still clear and in complete control. Nest continued to close well and seemed to be getting stronger the farther she went.
So, will Nest give it a go? Can she beat these colts and join Rags to Riches in the history books? Stay tuned.
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