Nest Hatches New Plot to Steal Belmont For the Girls
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.
Nest was gallant and courageous, never gave up. She stumbled, got stuck behind horses a bit—- might she have won? Did she not get as good a trip as Mo? I choose to think so, from my heart if not my head. What a filly!
Another mitigating factor for Nest besides the stumble at the start occurred in the stretch when Ortiz flanked to his outside by his brother and Mo Donegal and running up on the leaders, We the People and SLS, had to wait for Irad to make his move at the leaders before he could pull the filly out and around that duo and set her down for the finish. Hemmed in, Jose lost momentum and a number of lengths because he could not move in tandem with Irad at the leaders. Up until that point the brothers had been running nearly side by side down the backstretch. If they could have passed the leaders in tandem, it could likely have been a head bobbing finish and the filly might have prevailed although I’d have felt better about her chances if she was outside the eventual winner as Rags to Riches was in her victory over Curlin as the race riding Johnny V pinned the favored colt closely against the rail.
Close, Steve, but no cigar. Like to see what would have happened if – deja vu – Nest had not stumbled at the start like Pletcher’s last filly entrant in the Belmont. However, if she won it, beating the favorite as Rags to Riches did Curlin there would have been no losing trainer of the favored colt saying to all within hearing “I can’t believe she beat him” with Pletcher this go around training both the filly and the favored colt.
Ethereal Road will miss the Belmont due to a quarter crack. There’s 8 contenders as of right now. Howling Time is also skipping the Belmont
The Belmont post position draw is at 11am on Tuesday morning. Nine “definites” and Howling Time is still a “maybe”.
Monday morning news: Ethereal Road and Howling Time are both out of the Belmont. Ethereal Road with a quarter crack and
Howling Time being redirected to the Matt Winn at Churchill Downs. I think that The Belmont could be down to only 8 starters. We’ll find out by noon.
Noon tomorrow.
I was looking at the possibles/probables for next Saturday’s races at Belmont. In the G2 Brooklyn at a mile and a half on the dirt, Marathon Ace Lone Rock may faceoff against Max Player, Warrant, and Fearless among others. Interesting. A specialist against better horses, but, at shorter distances.
Jackie’s Warrior is listed at a “probable” for Friday’s True North at 6 1/2 Furlongs and as a “possible” for Saturday’s Met Mile. I mean no offense when I say that “Jackie” better run on Friday. But, I’d be telling a fib if I said that I wasn’t hoping to see him run in The Met Mile. The more Stars, the merrier IMO.
Speaking of The Met Mile, one of the more improbable winners of that race(IMO) was Mor Spirit in 2017 when he ran an “off the charts” race. I thought that I had Mor Spirit correctly pegged as a “plodder”. I still don’t know where that race came from. I’ll mention that Sharp Azteca ran 2nd that day and leave it at that.
Mor Spirit followed up that “mind-blowing” Met Mile win by running up the track as the favorite in The Breeders Cup Dirt Mile at
Del Mar in the Fall of 2017. I’ll remind people that Battle of Midway beat Sharp Azteca that day and again leave it at that.
I, too thought Mor Spirit was a plodder….
I, too was surprised in his 7 length win….Belmont…like the 9 furlong Hollywood Park dirt course was conducive to huge win margins….I’m hearing 4, maybe 5 entrants. ..headed by Speaker Corner and The Freak..
We could see something very “special”.
The worry for Flightline is his flight to New York not the Met Mile. Should that go well, it’s a bet on how far.
An old clicker friend who does a lot more than clock, these days.. told me this AM he’s working lights out!..
o..
Yes, I saw the workout times, read where John Sadler sounded extremely confident and that the longer the better. The hardest part must be to restrain the desire of Flightline to fly. Awe inspiring performances.
I was right there at top of stretch, Baby Yoda had been tucked inside and his rider was patient, he swings him off rail and has dead aim, but Flightline just spurted clear IMPRESSIVELY—
Vadeni, ridden by Christophe Soumillion has won the French Derby. Owned and bred by the Aga Kahn, the 3 year old colt is by Churchill out of Vaderana.
Worth mentioning I think that Churchill is by Galileo out of Storm Cat daughter, Meow and Vaderana’s great grand dam was by Gone West.
I continue to be amazed by the influence Secretariat has to this day (through his daughters) on both dirt and turf both here in the United States and abroad.
Vadeni wins the Prix du Jockey Club and is now just behind Desert Crown, Emily Upjohn for the Arc but do not dismiss Al Hakeem he was flashing home late after having a difficult post. There’s quite a lot of racing before October to contemplate.
LOL, I will never live long enough to get my head around all these International races though I am reasonably versed on Aiden’s horses.
Lynda, just search for Group Races on Wikipedia. Then down the bottom of the page they have links to all the various countries. Flat and jumps races. You can just print out the lists and go through the Group 1s down. Soon you’ll know the preps for the Group 1s the world over.
Favored Desert Crown (Nathaniel) won the Epsom Derby comfortably remaining undefeated in 3 starts.
Nods to Davids who commented on Sir Michael Stout being bound to win his sixth Derby with Desert Crown twelve years after his last with Workforce.
75-to-1 longshot Hoo Ya Mal (Territories) took second with Judmonte’s Westover (Frankel) in third after losing momentum coming down the hill. His Jockey was visible disillusioned by the hiccup of a “gap closing before he could get in”.
A son of KY Jockey Club and Gotham winner, El Kabeir, named Masekele grabbed fourth place at odds of 79 to 1.
The second favourite Stone Age had a beautiful trip but could not sustain his run late weakening to finish 6th. The son of Galileo was visibly affected by the heat…
Amazing how the $1-Tri paid $5,120 with the odds-on favorite winning the Epsom Derby (In Memory Of Lester Piggott).
That is the beauty of first-class races: quality breeds not only thrilling spectacles but also good payouts…!
Yes Nelson, Desert Crown was traveling so comfortably throughout that the result appeared inevitable. Considering how inexperienced Desert Crown is, the future, come October, looks very bright. Emily Upjohn vs Desert Crown clash should be a corker.
Michael Stoute is such a patient trainer and his skill to get the best out of Zilzal was extraordinary. On to Chantilly…
Two starts before the Derby. Wow. And he was the favorite! Has there been a trend in the UK toward fewer starts as there has been in the U.S.?
I think the trend started in UK…..
It’s very normal for Epsom Derby ‘potentials’ to have a very limited 2 year old race record. Lammtarra, as an example, had just the one start at 2, a win. No preps due to illness he won the Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. 4 for 4.
Davids, is January 1st the official birthdate for the European horses (like it is for American breds)?
Yes, Lynda, January 1 as in the US, in the Southern Hemisphere the birthday is August 1.
Light rain has entered the forecast for next Saturday at Belmont. Probably no big deal. Still a week away. Plenty of time for things to improve.
You know the old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 10,000 times, you must be a meteorologist.
In the past 20 years of the Belmont Stakes (not including the out-of-sequence 9f edition of 2020), 5 favorites, or 25%, have won. In the past 50 years, 15 favorites, or 30%, have won. Of those 15 winners, only one went off at odds higher than $1.60-1: Risen Star was $2.10-1 in 1988. I expect Mo Donegal’s odds will be higher than 2-1.
On the other end of the odds spectrum, 10 Belmont winners in the past 20 runnings (50%) went off at odds of 9-1 or higher. So perhaps the win bet should be on Barber Road, Ethereal Road, Skippylongstocking, or Golden Glider.
Skippy gonna sit the trip! Just off the pace….grabs lead on far turn and trues to stave off Nest and Mo Donegal!…
After the Epsom Derby dust has settled we cross the channel on Sunday to visit the most beautiful racetrack in the world, Chantilly, for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).
Jean-Claude Rouget has a handful of favored runners here but it is not the Aga Khan’s Vadeni who seems destined to win but the Siyouni colt, Al Hakeem. The weather looks perfect as well, so if you have nothing planned…
Davids, I have seen photos. Looks like a painting!
We were there in the morning. Walking around course past the chateau and moat with people walking their dogs and seeing deer on the racecourse is as idyllic as it gets. That huge ornate structure you see on the backstretch was built as a stable by the track owner, who believed he was going to be reincarnated as a horse and he wanted to live in the same luxury as a horse as he did as a human.
The track is built on the edge of a forest which you walk through to get to the quaint town of Chantilly. On the other side of the track are all the gallops which are separated by woods. A series of 3-mile long straightaways…grass, dirt, artificial, steeplechase, wood chips and thats not even the big main gallop
Sounds lovely. I had a croissant this morning. Sigh…
I wonder if his wish came true.
Another track to put on the bucket list. So romantic!
Ms B, so hope you get to go soon. Have a friend who is England for the Platinum Jubilee and she is staying through the Royal Ascot. She travels to Ireland and to England several times a year and shares so many great photos.
One of The Queen’s horses, Steal A March, won a hurdles race today. Not like winning the Epsom Derby of course, but she has to be delighted that he won during her celebration weekend.
Lovely description Steve.
Did you take photos that you could share sometime?
I took slides
The lovely racecourse and stable were featured in a black-and-white Longines commercial that ran a couple of years ago. The chateau also houses The Museum of the Horse, which I recommend. My wife and I were there for the Arc in 2016, when Longchamps was being renovated.
A few minutes ago on FS2 they were talking about The Met Mile to be run on Belmont Day. They showed Speaker’s Corner’s and Flightline’s last races. Such beautiful horses. Speaker’s Corner is razor sharp and should benefit if Jackie’s Warrior doesn’t enter the race. Caddo River has joined the list of “probables” for the race. No disrespect, but I think that Caddo River IS a bit of a “head case”. I don’t think that he likes being inside of horses. Just a personal opinion. Very talented though. As “freakishly fast” as Flightline has been, it’s going to be very difficult for me to play him off of the 5 1/2 month layoff in this situation against top competition on a new track and at a new distance. If I can afford it, I’ll probably take the cowardly way out and use 3(Aloha West, Flightline, & Speaker’s Corner) in multi-race wagers. That way I can enjoy the race.
I see that Bill Mott, one of my favorite trainers, is up to 20% for the year. It helps when you have 2 horses that win each and every time that you send them to the track. I’m speaking of Olympiad and Speaker’s Corner. A couple of “Barn Aces” indeed.
Olympiad is a son of Speightstown that has won at a mile and an eighth. He did that 2 races back in the Gr 2 New Orleans Classic at Fairgrounds. 7-furlongs to a mile and a sixteenth seem to be his forte. Olympiad has won 4 in a row, 5 of 6, and 6 of 8. 6 of 9 overall. If Bill Mott doesn’t give him a break, Olympiad could be a “play against” in his next race after a very hard race on Oaks Day in the Gr 2 Alysheba when he re-rallied in the stretch to defeat Happy Saver. But, Mr. Mott is as sharp as they come. He’ll probably give him a little rest. Let’s see if he shows up somewhere on that Belmont Day card.
Caddo River recently ran huge….
This might turn out to be the lowest tv rating in the history of the Belmont Stakes. The field is that unappealing/bad.
Wish Smile Happy was running. Think he was made for this race.
Looks like a great card to me. If Joe And Joanna Public don’t watch the Belmont Stakes Day of racing then more fool them.
Hello Davids.
I agree, I think the card is great one as well.
My 3 favorites to win the race are Rich Strike, We The People and Nest.
I have been watching as much of the Platinum Jubilee celebration as I can.
Yes Lynda, it’s hard not to become entranced with all the flags, pomp and ceremony. Here in Melbourne, we’re having unseasonably frigid weather. Tonight, I’m off to see Kunstkamer, with howling winds. Lol.
Davids, I have always enjoyed watching the Trooping of the Color and this year it was especially beautiful.
Saw a photo earlier of her visit to Clairborne Farm in 1984. She wanted to see Round Table whose dam, Knight’s Daughter had been bred by her father, King George Vl.
Lynda, do you watch “The Crown”? In season 3, The Queen visits Kentucky.
Hi Davids, yes I have been watching “The Crown” and recall that episode when she visits America. The producers, writers etc have taken a lot of “literary license” in the series. in that episode there was an insinuation that Her Majesty had an affair with the man who managed the Royal stable (cannot recall his name).
Did you watch the concert last evening?
Andrea Bocelli just took my breath away when he sang ‘Nessun Dorma’. Queen with Adam Lambert was really good as well. And the tea with Paddington Bear was just adorable.
No Lynda, unfortunately not, it’s on in the wee hours of the morning here. The Queen’s racing manager in The Crown is Lord Porchester (who would eventually go on to become Henry Herbert, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon). His family’s residence is Highclere Castle, which is also known as the ‘real-life’ Downton Abbey.
There’s a bit of trivia. Ha ha
It’s a good betting race with some nice horses. In terms of quality, the 2017 edition had neither the Derby winner or the Preakness winner — that’s not appealing as a TC climax.
A Profile-raising feature for the Belmont Stakes is the presence of the Derby winner and, as boosted by Steve in this article, a filly attempting to make history.
Nine (9) Stakes (8 Grade Is) in one afternoon is always a feast for the fans. The Met Mile promises to be one for the ages…!
TV rating will piggy back on those great races in the card as Davids hinted.
If 11 or 12 horses are entered in the Belmont Stakes it would become a good betting race as well…
Since Lil E. Tee – The true tell is the total mutual handle at the end of the Belmont day card. I’m just hoping for fast and firm conditions.
I haven’t looked at the full Belmont card. I’m sure it’s great.
Whether Nest will be effective at 12f is up in the air at this stage but over the pond at Epsom this Friday the Oaks will be run and these fillies will definitely be dynamic at 12f.
Frankie Dettori will be on the ‘Gosdens’ trained Emily Upjohn, who appears to have the measure of her competition but only time will tell. Allez!! Frankie.
Dettori won last year’s Oak with Snowfall for A. P. O’Brien and looks favored to repeat with Emily …
Godolphin’s With the Moonlight is primed for a good performance. The daughter of Frankel showed a world of improvement as a 3-year-old… best value in the race…
Fantastic Epsom racing festival complementing Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations…!
Hi Nelson, yes it would have been wonderful had The Queen been able to attend. Perhaps, she will be able to attend Royal Ascot. Do you like anyone in the Epsom Derby? For me, Desert Crown and Stone Age appear to have it between them.
Desert Crown and Stone Age are indeed the leading contenders…
Stone Age was really impressive in the (10f) Derby Trial at Leopardstown for one of the most powerful ownerships in the world (Brant/Magnier/Tabor/Smith/Westerberg). The beautiful son of Galileo can relax while going fast early and still gallop strongly through the finish line… so he will be equally effective at a 1½ Mile. Galileo will be improving his own record of five winners of the Derby should Stone Age win tomorrow.
And Aidan O’Brien is going for his ninth (9th) Epsom Derby win and his fourth Oak-Derby double. Below are these famous duets:
2020 Love, Serpentine
2012 Was, Camelot
2001 Imagine, Galileo
All O’Brien’s wins were with the same ownership.
I plan on keying Stone Age (3-1) with the following challengers:
Changingoftheguard (7-1)/Desert Crown(8-5)/Nations Pride (6-1)/Piz Badile (10-1)/Westover(15-1)
Nations Pride was supplemented after his final workout satisfied his connections.
Donnacha O’Brien is expecting a huge ride by Dettori on Piz Badile.
Happy Epsom Derby day!
It’s been a dozen years or so since Michael Stoute won the Epsom Derby. The mind and heart are with Desert Crown, let’s share the spoils around.
Just interesting pedigree tidbits.
Stone Age goes back through his dam to Sham and Alydar.
Chaningoftheguard to Secretariat.
Star of India to Dr Fager
Nations Pride to Sir Gaylord (Somethingroyal)
Piz Badile – Gone West
Westover – a who’s who in American horse racing from the Iron Horse era.
I saw a picture of Desert Crown…WHAT IS that thing of his face, where a shadow roll would be?…
MatthewW, I did not see the photo but from what you have described it is a figure 8 bridle that is commonly used on racehorses, eventing horses etc. Usually it is seen on racehorses in Ireland, England. Basically its function is to allow the horse to breath better because the nose band on the bridle does not go over the nose.
The shadow roll you mention is commonly used by American racehorse trainers, especially by Bob Baffert with the purpose of keeping the horse focused on what is in front of them.
If you look at a photo of Secretariat, you can see that he was raced with what is call a D-ring snaffle and of course his blinkers.
Most American thoroughbreds today have a lot of hardware in their mouths and usually tongue tie downs as well.
Not trying to be ugly but have heard people who adopt OTTBS say that quite often their mouths are ruined and they have to spend a lot of time softening up their mouths.
They’re all tongue-tied now, it seems….
Saw that Tuesday won by a nose. Happy for the connections of her dam, Lillie Langtry. (Read she was covered by Frankel for 2022 foal. That foal should be awesome).
Sure we will see Emily again soon. That was a real squeaker.
The Honorable Judge Roy Bean approves of this post!
LOL, good one!
Yes Lynda, good luck to Tuesday and her connections. Aidan O’Brien is such a lovely person you’re always happy when he wins and that’s often. Emily Upjohn was definitely unlucky but she is now the early favorite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Luck is the essential quality that ebbs and flows in racing but some can harness it better than others.
We The People looked very good winning the Peter Pan stakes, but I wonder, is he improving or loose on the lead on a sloppy track?
I’ve been a fan of Mo Donegal, and can he get the right trip, and stay closer to the pace?
These are concerns I have now. Creative Minister is lightly raced, but I’m not sure he wanted more ground from his Preakness race where he finished 3’rd.
Kuchar is a little interesting, at a big price, out of Uncle Mo, he won a 1 1/4 at CD, owned by Winstar, but he definitely would have to get faster. Shaping up as a good race. I have more questions, than answers now, but it’s still early.
Here’s the Caveat about We the People (Caveat being a Belmont winner, and he overcame much trouble….)…they rolled down the track cushion right before the Peter Pan, he broke running, several brook poorly….and he won easily, as horses do over that kind of surface.. not saying he can’t win but the price won’t entice me …
Five Stakes races at Belmont on Friday, June 10th and nine Stakes races on Saturday, June 11th (Belmont Day). If I remember correctly, they had a few 2-day wagers from that Friday card to Belmont Day last year. I heard one person say that they will draw post positions for The Belmont on Tuesday. I’m not 100% sure if that’s correct. We’ll see.
At first, I thought that Mo Donegal and We the People were standouts and I was leaning towards “Mo”. But, Steve Haskin got me looking at Nest. In my opinion, Nest has the best breeding in the prospective field for the Mile and a Half(Curlin from an A P Indy mare). I will have an exacta Key Box: Nest W/ Mo Donegal & We the People.
Too early to be formulating wagers for Belmont Day? Yes, probably. Can’t help myself.
It’s always too early until entries are taken. But we can still have fun! Which of the probables can keep up with We the People in the early stages of the Belmont Stakes? I don’t see one. Both of the closers Mo Donegal and Barber Road made up 4 lengths in the Derby stretch, with BR finishing just a length behind MD. Yet MD will likely be the favorite in the Belmont (5-2?), while BR will be double digits (12-1?).
That’s a very good point about Barber Road being 4X the odds of Mo Donegal. Barber Road is kind of an “old school” horse. He’s been racing steadily since his debut on August 3rd at Colonial Downs of all places. Nine races in 10 months. He’s a very reliable horse to hit the trifecta. Top 3 in 7 of his 9 races. Top 4 in 8 of the 9. All he does is bring home checks for his owners. I can’t fault his 6th in The Derby which I consider the toughest race in the Country. He always makes his run. He would seem to be a “must use” on trifecta and superfecta tickets. A Barber Road Win shouldn’t shock anyone. His 2nd to Cyberknife when he beat Secret Oath in The Arkansas Derby shows his quality.
We the People has been very good when things go his way. In the Arkansas Derby, jockey Flavien Prat got him trapped
5-wide going into the first turn and had to backoff. We the People seemed to get “rank” after that and really didn’t do much running the last 3 or 4 furlongs. I’ve seen 2 different analysts refer to him as a “head case” after that race. It’s been said that he was also “acting up” before that race. It looked to me that the horse didn’t like not being up on the pace. The
Rodolphe Brisset trainee should have no problem making the lead or his preferred position right off of the leader. And his Peter Pan win gives him a race over the track. Even without Early Voting, Epicenter, Zandon, and the Florida horses, the 2022 Belmont is an interesting race. Of course, Derby winner Rich Strike gets a chance to validate his victory on the first Saturday in May. To prove that all he needed was some more distance and that he isn’t “pace dependent”. All we need is “fast & firm” for a great day of racing.
First-time Belmont Stakes trainers, like Brissett, win this race more often than I thought. Cox, Casse, Matz, Breen, Ice, McLaughlin, and Ritchey won this century.
I like EddieF’s angle regarding Barber Road. I know it’s early, but like you said, it’s fun…. how about an exacta box with the 2 horses who broke their maiden in a 30k claiming race?
That would be a nice payout…without the first two favorites. Two former claimers first and second. I’ll bet that’s never happened.
A week before the Belmont ai read Mo Donegal is 5/2, at offshore odds…..3-1 on We The People….9/2 Rich Strike I’ll try to beat all three!..
Nelson Maan mentioned in a previous comment the archives of Steve’s Hangin’ with Haskin columns over on Bloodhorse. If you haven’t checked them out–do so. As expected, they are a treasure trove of all great horses, past and present. It’s been a pleasure for me to re-visit the archives. One that caught my eye, which I had not read is “Rachel-Zenyatta Rivalry ends in a Dead Heat.” And of course Steve’s headlines are so clever. Go up to the right hand corner of the BH front page and in the question box type Hangin with Haskin. GO NEST!
I forgot to mention: the Rachel/Zenyatta article is dated August 10, 2016 found on page 9 of the archives. What a trip down memory lane.
So glad you enjoyed going back in time and reliving all those great horses and great races. Thank you. That part of me is still back at Bloodhorse.
I would like to share some stats I keep about Todd Pletcher’s horses in the Belmont Stakes.
Year…Horse ……….. placing
2000 Impeachment 6
2001 Invisible Ink 5
2002
2003
2004 Purge 9 (last)
2005
2006 Bluegrass Cat 2 \ Sunriver 3 \
2007 Rags to Riches (filly) 1
2008 Ready’s Echo 3 (dead heat)
2009 Dunkirk 2
2010 Interactif 7
2011 Stay Thirsty 2
2012
2013 Palace Malice 1 \Revolutionary 5\Unlimited Budget(filly) 6\ Overanalyze 7\Midnight Taboo 12
2014 Commissioner 2 \ Matterhorn 8 \
2015 Madefromlucky 6 \ Materiality 8 (last) \
2016 Destin 2 \ Stradivari 5 \
2017 Tapwrit 1 \ Patch 3 \
2018 Vino Rosso 4 \ Noble Indy 10 (last) \
2019 Spinoff 6 \ Intrepid Heart 8 \
2020 Dr. Post 2 \ Farmington Road 8 \ (June 20 at 9 furlongs)
2021 Known Agenda 4 \ Bourbonic 5 \ Overtook 7
As you can see, Pletcher’s numbers in the Belmont Stakes are better than those for his Derby record. aSLO, His five entries in the 2013 Belmont might be a record (TBC)…
Nelson, the 5 entries in 2013 was a record at the time, and I’m pretty sure it still is.
TP’s win percentage in the 2013 Belmont (20%) was so much better than his career win percentage in the Belmont (9%). 😉
Five is a significant number in Belmont history. Woody Stephens won five consecutive runnings of the Belmont Stakes, a record that may NEVER be broken.
Thanks for the reply EddieF. I thought you would find interesting the following stats I found at mybelmontbetsdotcom/trainers-most-wins
James Rowe (8)
George Kinney (1883)
Panique (1884)
Commando (1901)
Delhi (1904)
Peter Pan (1907)
Colin (1908)
Sweep (1910)
Prince Eugene(1913)
Sam Hildreth (7)
Jean Bereaud (1899)
Joe Madden (1909)
Friar Rock (1916)
Hourless (1917)
Grey Lag (1921)
Zev (1923)
Mad Play (1924)
“Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons (6)
Gallant Fox (1930)
Faireno (1932)
Omaha (1935)
Granville (1936)
Johnstown (1939)
Nashua (1955)
“Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons
dominated the Belmont
Stakes in the 1930s with
5 victories.
Woody Stephens (5)
Conquistador Cielo (1982)
Caveat (1983)
Swale (1984)
Creme Fraiche (1985)
Danzig Connection (1986)
Woody Stephens won five Belmont Stakes in a row from 1982-1986.
Max Hirsch (4)
Vito (1928)
Assault (1946)
Middleground (1950)
High Gun (1954)
Trainer Max Hirsch.
D. Wayne Lukas (4)
Tabasco Cat (1994)
Thunder Gulch (1995)
Editor’s Note (1996)
Commendable (2000)
It is curious that Ben Jones got only two Belmont winners (one in the name of his son) out of his 11 Derby victors. HoF James Rowe is the winningest Belmont S. winner and his son won the 1931 edition. Three of the 8 were inducted in the Hall of Fame (Commando, Colin and Peter Pan).
D. Wayne Lukas has a shot a fifth Belmont with Ethereal Road….
Eight wins by Rowe…that’s impressive, but I won’t say that it can’t be beaten. BTW, Rowe won two earlier Belmonts as a jockey! 😮 If Lukas wins with Ethereal Road, he needs only three more to tie. LOL.
**Correction: Ben Jones with two Belmont winners out of his 11 Derby STARTERS and 6 Derby victors
Well Nelson looks like RS is running!
A reader said he believed RS would skip Bel. Never believed he would. Amazing!
Great job in capturing all the uncanny similarities between Rags to Riches and Nest. The daughter of Curlin has a very big shoe to fill if Pletcher confirms her in the Belmont Stakes. I am pretty sure the 7-time Champion Trainer will do it after reading this convincing article.
It is worth reading again Hangin’ with Haskin’s article entitled “Rags to Riches: Greatest Victory for Pletcher” [18 March, 2016 ] to recall the magnitude of that 2007 Belmont Stakes.
Nest will have to step up her game but then again (apparently) there is no Curlin in the Test of the Champions this year.
Perhaps the salient difference between the two fillies is their physiques. If I remember well, Rags to Riches is bigger, stronger with greater stride than Nest’s. Those physical traits are crucial to attempt winning the Belmont Stakes.
Also, the 5-pound weight allowance for the fillies might very well be an advantage specially at a mile and a half.
Nest will be taking a lot of betting money… after all she and the rising star, We the People, are the two contenders with the right running style and pedigree to outclass any peer in the Test of the Champions.
What happened to Corniche? I seem to remember him being transferred to Todd Pletcher. It’s been 7 months since his Breeders Cup win. Where is he? I hope he’s OK. Maybe he’s working out somewhere and I just haven’t heard about it. We all know that Pletcher likes to take his time and get his horses “right” for their returns.
He had 2 breezing works in April, 4/15 & 4/23 at the Winstar Training Center. Nothing recorded since.
Thanks. That sounds like he might have suffered a set-back.
Nice piece, Steve! Your stories are always a treat to read. I had not realized how deep the skein of similarities between Nest, whom I really like, and Rags to Riches, who I adored (that black spot on her nose!). That said, Rags was an exceptional filly, not only because of her Belmont win. She buried her field in the Ky. Oaks by nearly 5 lengths. On the other hand, Nest is a stayer. The way this Belmont is coming up — more lightly raced, lightly tried horses than the Derby — anyone can win. Time to start second-guessing myself again. Still have $6 in my account I can bet.
Oops — correction. Rachel Alexandra was the brilliant filly (and Preakness winner) with the black patch on her face. I think of the two R fillies similarly.
Rachel Alexandra won the Oaks by 20 lengths..
Forgive me I didn’t see you were talking about Rags!
No need to apologize, Matthew, since I obviously confused the two “R” fillies. I know ONE of them waxed the Oaks field. When I was 11, I memorized all of the Kentucky Derby winners back to 1875. Now I can barely remember who won last year.
P.S. The Chief, H. Allen Jerkens, would be impressed by knowledge of pedigrees.
Wow, what a great article comparing Rags to Riches and Nest. And they even have the same trainer. How exciting is the Belmont this year?
Changing the subject: Other than Steve Ausussen, has there been another trainer whose horse was beaten by the progeny of the horses he trained in the Classics? I didn’t think he initially realized that Curlin’s grandson beat Epicenter in the Derby. And then Gunrunner’s son defeated Epicenter in the Preakness.
This will be an exciting edition of the Belmont.
PS I really enjoyed reading about the insights Eric Reed has about his horse, Rich Strike. He said he would have been physically able to run in the Preakness, but not mentally ready. I thought he had a great deal of knowledge and sensitivity about the needs of his horse to run to the best of his ability. I have never heard any other trainer speak that way about his horse. He was sensitive and very aware of the needs of his horse.
Thank you Steve for more insights. I hope she does win!
John Sadler has Flightline training up a storm in preparation for a possible start in the Met Mile. He worked :59.8 over 5-furlongs yesterday at Santa Anita. He earned a 118 BSF for his last win in The Malibu way back on the day after Christmas at Santa Anita. Flightline doesn’t race very often, but when he does, he puts on a show. That 118 BSF puts him in some rarified air in only his 3rd start. The Met Mile would be his first start outside California and first start beyond 7-furlongs. He’ll be facing some real toughies in New York. Jackies Warrior, Aloha West, and Bill Mott’s buzzsaw, Speaker’s Corner, are “possibles” for the race. So, the obstacles are not insignificant. But, every time I see Flightline run I say to myself “how you gonna beat that horse?” Can he be the same horse after another 5 1/2 month break? If Sadler ships him, I’ll bet he is.
Todd Pletcher has entered Emmanuel in Saturday’s Pennine Ridge at Belmont on turf. He’s NOT listed as a “MTO”. We can always use more horses with some versatility in this age of specialization.
Been sitting in silence the Preakness. Never been so mad at myself after a race. Looking forward to the Belmont.
Thanks for this fascinating article, Steve, and sneaky good ‘head.’ You’re a master sleuth, delving into all the backstories and connections, unearthing rare facts, and you’re the master wordsmith, bar none. I’m a huge Curlin fan, and truth be known, was dismayed when he lost to Rags. Time has given me perspective and I now respect that gritty filly. As I recall, you wrote a piece about that Belmont and complimented Curlin even in defeat. I now follow all the Curlin progeny and they’re always my picks. Speaking of your past Hangin with Haskin columns, are they archived somewhere? Again, thanks for a superlative read, Steve. GO NEST!
Thank you, if youre referring to my old Bloodhorse.com columns (they were called Hangin with Haskin) they are archived. Just go to thee search engine on the upper right corner of the main page and type in my name and the subject. My Askin Haskin columns and Derby Rankings on here are harder to find. You have to scroll down though all my stuff until you find it. Takes me a while, too. If there is anything in particular youre looking for let me know and I’ll find it
Steve, I just send you a message on your fb page about your old blogs. They are so wonderful—–I plan to re-read several.
Thanks for responding. It’s going to be a heck of a Belmont this year. GO NEST!
I responded to you message. Glad you enjoyed the old ones. Thank you.
That is a lot of similarities. I first saw Rags to Riches out in California. I don’t remember if Todd Pletcher had a string of horses at Santa Anita that winter or if she debuted for another trainer. But, I knew right away that she was “my Oaks” horse. Every once in awhile I’m right about something. Oddly, I wasn’t on her in The Belmont. I really dont remember who I played that year. I’ve been kicking myself for 15 years over missing that bet. I think she paid something like $10 for her Belmont win. It seems like a long time ago. So, I’m not 100% sure.
BTW, Steve, the photo of Nest that you selected for this column is stunning. What a gorgeous filly!
Leonard chooses and finds all the photos except the few that are mine. He does a great job illustrating the columns
I also believe that Leonard has been great as a moderator by managing to keep a respectful, appropriate ethical and friendly atmosphere in this blog.
Kudos to him for not letting unnecessary polarization, diatribe and bullying (trolleys) here as others do to just capture unhealthy attention to their sites…
Another great piece of writing. Your knowledge of bloodlines is top notch. Thank you
Thanks Kenny
Interesting read, Steve. A little more ‘grist to the mill,’ Rags to Riches comes from the predominant family of Best in Show with success the world over, while Your Hostess, Nest’s family, is a full sister to Your Host. Your Host is the sire of Kelso.
How do I go about communicating with Mr. Haskins directly?
sehaskin@aol.com. No “s” at the end
Workout between races at Churchill by Rich Strike today was a nice watch. Kudos to whomever scheduled it. I enjoyed it.
Hope everyone is having a Happy Memorial Day.
Just going to try and stay positive that the Belmont Stakes will be a good, safe race (and an exciting one).
This is a list of all the fillies who have run in Belmont. As you can see the fillies did run quite often in the Belmont until 1932 , then entered five times from and did quite well. Always been curious as to why fillies and mares were raced against colts and stallions quite frequently from the early days of Thoroughbred Horse racing in the United States until roughly 1930.
Year Name Odds Finish
2007 Rags to Riches 4.30-1 1st
1999 Silverbulletday 5.10-1 7th
1996 My Flag 7.70-1 3rd
1988 Winning Colors 2.20-1 6th
1980 Genuine Risk 5.10-1 2nd
1954 Riverina 3.45-1 7th
1932 Laughing Queen 6-1 10th
1927 Flambino 10-1 3rd
1923 Miss Smith 40-1 8th
1913 Flying Fairy 10-1 3rd
1905 Tanya 11-5 1st
1905 Flinders 20-1 7th
1885 Miss Palmer 30-1 6th
1871 Mary Clark – 6th
1871 Nellie Gray 10th
1870 Midday – 3rd
1870 Stamps – 4th
1870 Nellie James – 7th
1869 Invercauld – 3rd
1869 Viola – 7th
1868 Fanny Ludlow – 3rd
1867 Ruthless – 1st
Ruthless won the inaugural Belmont Stakes. Her sire was Eclipse and her dam, Barbarity was bred to Eclipse 8 times and foaled 5 fillies named Ruthless, Relentless, Remorseless, Regardless, and Merciless. Evidently there was a contentious lawsuit over the owner of the mare and is probably the reason for names.
Ruthless’ race record was 11 Starts: 7 – 4 – 0, $11,000 (0ver $225,000 in today’s dollars). One of her foals (a colt) was by her sire Eclipse. She died at a young age after being shot by a hunter in her pasture.
That’s funny about the names of Barbarity’s foals. I guess they couldn’t come up with more names beginning with “R” and ending with “less.” “Restless” and “Reckless” weren’t good enough?
But it’s a stretch to say that fillies ran quite often in the Belmont until 1932. Nine fillies were entered in the first 5 runnings (1867-71). Only 7 more ran through 1932. After that, 7 ran in the Belmont in 90 or so years. Unlimited Budget in 2013 was the last filly in the Belmont Stakes.
EddieF, I think the names for the fillies out of Barbarity were the result of the lawsuit, just reading between the lines. She had 10 foals, all by Eclipse except for one and 5 were fillies. One colt was named Barbarian and the other Devastations.
As to fillies running in the Belmont, fillies and mares raced far more often against the colts and stallions the 1800’s and into the 1900’s than they do today in any type of race and that includes the early Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont races.
There has to be an explanation as to why and from my reading on the history of horse racing in the United States, it seems to be the result of “stallion making”.
Correction, Barbarity had 10 foals, 8 fillies and 2 colts.
Ruthless, Relentless, Remorseless, Regardless, and Merciless, all fillies were her best.
More great research, Lynda! All five of those sisters won stakes. Merciless and Regardless won the Alabama, and the others were stakes winners at Saratoga. Some wit dubbed them “the barbarous battalion.”
Hi Ms Blactype.
While I did not go back on each sire and dam, I thought it was very interesting to read that both the Eclipse and Barbarity lines went back to the Godolphin Arabian.
The Godolphin was described as “There never was a horse… so well entitled to get racers as the Godolphin Arabian…his shoulders were deeper, and lay farther into his back, than those of any horse yet seen. Behind the shoulders, there was but a very small space where the muscles of his loins rose exceedingly high, broad, and expanded, which were inserted into his quarters with greater strength and power than in any horse . . . yet seen”.
Eclipse traces in his sire line to the Darley Arabian, but his dam was a daughter of Regulus and thus also traces to the Godolphin Arabian. This pattern continues to be seen today, with the Godolphin Arabian more heavily represented in dam lines and in the “middle” of pedigrees (as opposed to direct sire lines).
The Godolphin was not a tall horse, stood 15 hands.
The most famous portrait of the Godolphin was painted by George Stubbs. Stubbs was the most prolific painter of animals, especially horses in his era. His portraits are know for being anatomically correct and realistic.
Seabiscuit, Man O’War and War Admiral go back to the Godolphin in the sire line.
I cannot prove (yet) that it was the Godolphin Arabian sire line fillies and mares that were successful and often defeated the colts and stallions in the history of horse racing in this country from the Colonial Period through the early 1900’s but is something I work on from time to time.
Wow Steve what an informative blog. Nest has an amazing bloodline. I remember Boldnesian, watched him race. Very nice horse but like many of the Bold Ruler 2 & 3 year old’s Boldnesian got hurt.
Not sure Rich Strike has another Derby like performance under his belt but we will see.
Epicenter appears to be the best or at least the most consistent 3 year old out there but lots of races yet to run.
Nest has a good shot at the Belmont, this isn’t the strongest field we’ve ever seen.
Happy Memorial Day Steve
Thank you Deacon. Same to you
Remarkable similarities, indeed! Wow…amazing research, Steve. I hope that Nest doesn’t lay an egg at Belmont. RTR’s win was certainly historic. I believe that she was the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes at 12f. And her half-brother Jazil won the Belmont the year before!
Thanks Eddie. Remarkably I firmly believe she would have had a third straight Belmont winner if Casino Drive didnt get hurt Belmont week coming off that monster win in the Peter Pan. Couldnt see him losing to Da ‘Tara.
I forgot about Casino Drive. Maybe you could write a piece on “The strange career of Casino Drive.”
WOW. I would say Nest has the advantage here! And I love your title, “Nest Hatches New Plot to Steal Belmont For the Girls”
Steve if you get the chance GO!….All those gr1’s, but go for Flightline! It’s tough to win the Gr1 Met Mile off of a 5 1/2 month layoff, against such a good horse as Speaker’s Corner….thats a tall order….horses just don’t do that….uh huh…..
I would love to but might not be able to.
I’m playing Nest! I also put up $30 to win on Rage, who is one of the best fillies I ever saw! She had that move—strong in the stretch, she caught my eye earlier, at Santa Anita, in the Belmont she came out stumbling—and she out-dueled Curlin! 6-1, if I remember correctly!
Have a good Memorial Mr. Haskin!
Thank you Mike. Same to you
Kentucky Derby hero Sonny Leon makes a Holiday appearance at Lone Star this afternoon & evening riding in 3 of their Stakes races. I wonder if he’s getting “appearance fees” with his newfound Celebrity? Leon rides Bob’s Bad Boy for Mindy Willis in the 7th race Chamberlain Bridge, Fowler Blue for Doug O’Neill in the 11th race Texas Derby, and Tesoro for
O. J. Jauregui in the 12th race $400,000 Feature. Good luck to Sonny Leon.
I put up a big wager on Tesoro today—big for me being $10 & $10—Tesoro has never run a bad race, and his last was a full second faster than the Gr3 14- horse SF Mile, run on same card…..can sit behind the pace ans save all the ground, I yhink Tesoro is a Golden Gate sleeper!
While I don’t think that Nest is any Rags to Riches who I consider a very special Filly, I’ll bet that she runs very well if Todd Pletcher does go ahead and run her in The Belmont. I might even buy myself a Mo Donegal/Nest exacta box.