Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Michael House's Nest breezed a half-mile in :50 flat over the Oklahoma training track Sunday at Saratoga in preparation for the $200,000 Shuvee (G2) there on July 23.
The 4-year-old Curlin bay, conditioned by Todd Pletcher, has not raced since finishing fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). Last year, she enjoyed a season that earned her champion 3-year-old filly honors when capturing a trio of Grade 1s in the Ashland at Keeneland as well as the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama at the Spa.
“It was a good work and a nice, strong gallop out. She seemed to keep going,” Pletcher said.
Emerging from nearly an eight-month layoff will be a tall ask for Nest, who was initially targeting the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont Park in June for her 4-year-old debut. But Pletcher said he has faith in his talented filly.
“We expect big things from her always,” Pletcher said. “It's a lot to ask of her, but she ran well in her debut going a mile and a sixteenth and she's basically run well pretty much every start of her career. Hopefully, we have her fit enough to perform well and this is the first step towards big goals.”
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