central bank ashland winner nest could be a star in the making

A week before eventual champion Malathaat won the 2021 Kentucky Oaks (G1), trainer Todd Pletcher said without hesitation, “She’s a star.” 

On Friday at Keeneland, Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s Nest showed she could be a star in the making as she romped to an 8¼-length victory in the Central Bank Ashland (G1), the same race Malathaat used as a final prep for the Kentucky Oaks. 

“She looked like a star yesterday,” Pletcher said Saturday morning. “You never expect to win by 8¼ lengths, but we felt good about the way she was coming into the race.” 

Pletcher possibly could add another Oaks starter today when Classy Edition runs in the Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct. A top two finish would give Classy Edition enough points to vault into the top 14 on the Oaks leaderboard. Like the Central Bank Ashland, the Gazelle offers 170 points toward the Oaks on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the first- through fourth-place finishers. 

The Oaks is limited to the top 14 point earners that pass the entry box. Pletcher has Goddess of Fire (62 points) and Shahama (50) in the top 14. 

“Those two fillies are at Palm Beach Downs (training center in Florida),” said Pletcher, who also has Kentucky Derby hopefuls Charge Itand Pioneer of Medina there. “We will see how things shake out today with the (Toyota) Blue Grass, Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby and then look to consolidate the horses at Churchill Downs in time to give them a couple of works over the track.” 

Pletcher has two entrants in today’s Toyota Blue Grass – Emmanuel and Commandperformance – as well as a trio of entrants in the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino in Mo Donegal, Golden Code and Long Term. 

Also likely to head to Churchill Downs are Whisper Hill Farm’s Grand Sonata, runner-up in yesterday’s Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), and Robert and Lawana Low’s My Prankster, fourth in the Lafayette. 

Pletcher said Kentucky Derby Day stakes would be under consideration for both colts: the $500,000 American Turf (G2) for Grand Sonata and the $500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2) Presented by LG&E and KU for My Prankster.