Nest

Nest has moved to the top of the 3-year-old filly division with Grade 1 victories in races such as the Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, and the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama Stakes at Saratoga. She also held her own against males with runner-up finish in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets.

Nest was the odds-on favorite in her career debut at Belmont Park on Sept. 25, 2021. She drew off from the others and won by five lengths for owners Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Michael House.

Off that victory, Nest was the 3.95-1 third choice in the Tempted Stakes at Belmont on Nov. 7. She closed strongly in the stretch, and finished third, beaten 3/4 of a length by gate-to-wire winner Gerrymander. She lost a photo for second to Magic Circle.

The Todd Pletcher trainee bounced back with a neck victory in the Grade 2 Demosielle Stakes at Aqueduct on Dec. 4.

Nest made her 3-year-old debut in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 12, 2022. The Curlin filly was a 3-10 favorite to start her season on a winning note, and did just that. She rated off the early pace and drew off to a six-length victory. 

That race set Nest up for a try at the Grade 1 level for a final prep before she targeted the Longines Kentucky Oaks. She faced a tough field in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes April 8 at Keeneland and made short work of her opponents, sweeping into contention in the far turn under Irad Ortiz Jr. and shooting clear in early stretch before being geared down late in a dominant 8 ¼-length victory. Nest earned 100 qualifying points for the May 6 Kentucky Oaks with the win, adding to the 10 she earned in the Demoiselle and 10 from the Suncoast Stakes.

Nest came up with a strong effort in the Longines Kentucky Oaks, finishing powerfully in the stretch but coming up short of winner Secret Oath in a runner-up finish in the $1.25-million race May 6 at Churchill Downs.

For her next start, Nest competed against the boys in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets on June 11. She rated off the early leaders, and chased stablemate Mo Donegal down the stretch. Although she could not catch him, she held on for a game second-place finish. 

Coming out of the Belmont, Nest was directed back to her gender and pointed to the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks July 23 at Saratoga. That race was touted as a rematch of the Kentucky Oaks as Secret Oath made her first start since running fourth in the Preakness Stakes. As it turned out, the rematch was a mismatch as Nest responded to a challenge from Secret Oath in the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile CCA Oaks with overwhelming force, drawing away to a blowout 12 ¼-length win.

Nest returned to complete a dominant Saratoga double when she dominated the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on August 20, 2022. She drew off to an impressive 4 1/4-length win over her main rival, Secret Oath. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard, and has been aboard in all of her graded stakes victories to date. Nest paid $2.70 to win as the heavy favorite.

By early fall 2022, Nest was gaining support as a leading contender to take on older fillies and mares in the Nov. 5 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. She cemented that status in her final start before the World Championships, romping by 9 ¾ lengths in the Beldame Stakes Oct. 9 at the Belmont at the Big A meet.

Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners purchased Nest for $350,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September auction in 2020. She is out of the stakes-winning A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood and is a full sister (same sire [father] and dam [mother] to 2021 Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Idol.