Knowing 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaf Contender Nest

Half a year ago, the thought of a heavy favorite in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (Gr.1) seemed absurd. Malathaat, Clairiere, and Letruska were headed for a hotly contested season in the older-horse races. And, among the 3YO fillies, the Kentucky Oaks (Gr.1) looked like a two-horse race between Nest and Secret Oath. In a sense, Nest was the new shooter headed into the Oaks. Sure, the Todd Pletcher trainee was a graded stakes winner at two, getting up to win the Demoiselle (Gr.2) by a neck over Venti Valentine. Given her pedigree, it wasn’t a surprise to see her step up to win that nine-furlong race.

Curlin's nest. Curlin, a two-time Horse of the Year, excelled at Classic lengths, winning the Preakness (Gr.1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (Gr.1). He's America's top long-distance dirt sire. He sired Palace Malice, Exaggerator, and Vino Rosso. Nest is Idol's full sister. Last year, at 4YO, he won the Santa Anita Handicap, a Grade 1 race at 1 1/4 miles. Given that Nest is bred to improve with age, her win at 2YO is surprising. Nest trained at three. She made her 3YO debut with a six-length triumph in the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs, then joined her brother among top-level winners with an 8 1/4-length win in the Ashland (Gr.1) at Keeneland. While Nest was doing this, Secret Oath was dominating Oaklawn fillies. She easily defeated Matareya, who won the Test (Gr.1) this year. She won the Martha Washington and Honeybee (G3), garnering Kentucky Oaks and Derby excitement. Secret Oath finished third to Cyberknife and Barber Road in the Arkansas Derby, but it prepared her for the Oaks. Nest and Secret Oath ran for the lilies, but Secret Oath opened the lane. Nest fought hard but finished second, two lengths behind the winner. However, Nest has dominated the sophomore fillies division all year. After Secret Oath placed fourth in the Preakness, Nest ran a mile and a half in the Belmont and finished second behind stablemate Mo Donegal.