Trainer Todd Pletcher told Daily Racing Form Sunday morning that both Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Mo Donegal and runner-up Nest came out of their efforts in good shape and will be pointed to major races at Saratoga.
Mo Donegal, who on Saturday won the Belmont by three lengths from stablemate Nest, will point to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on August 27. Nest will return racing against fillies, her main goal being the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on August 20.
Pletcher said that both could have preps, which could be determined when both runners return to serious training and following discussions with the connections of each.
“Our main goal now is to get to the Travers,” Pletcher told the Form about Mo Donegal, a son of Uncle Mo who is campaigned by Donegal Racing and Repole Stable. “The question is what do we want to do between now and the Travers.
“We can decide in a couple of weeks. If we do have a prep, my inclination would be to go the Saratoga route, but I have to talk to the connections and make sure everybody is on board.”
A prep for the Travers could be the $600,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on July 30 at Saratoga.
Pletcher said while Nest's main target is the Alabama, the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on July 23 could be a springboard.
“We'll leave the option open to train her up to the Alabama, but my first reaction after seeing how she is this morning is we won't need to wait until the Alabama,” he told the Form about the Curlin filly, who is owned by Repole, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Michael House. “But time will shed light on that.”
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