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Malathaat Likely to Train Up To Breeders’ Cup

Shadwell Stable's Malathaat (Curlin), winner of Saturday's GI Alabama S., will likely train up to the Nov. 6 GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed Sunday morning.

“Right now, we're focused on the Distaff, so we'll zero in on that and take things from there. That's the most likely scenario,” Pletcher said. “Nothing's etched in stone, but that's sort of the plan that we discussed with Rick Nichols [of Shadwell] a while ago.”

Malathaat won the GI Ashland S. and GI Kentucky Oaks before suffering her first career defeat when second in the July 24 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. She rebounded to take the Alabama Saturday despite stumbling at the break.

“It was good to get back and get a reasonably good trip despite stumbling at the start,” Pletcher said. “It was a very, very strong performance. She looks good this morning.”

In addition to his Alabama victory, Pletcher also saddled a pair of impressive first-out juvenile winners on the Saratoga card Saturday. My Prankster (Into Mischief) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his 10-length debut victory in the seventh race and Major General (Constitution) graduated by a neck in the day's first race.

“He was very impressive, I thought he kicked on well down the lane and had something left in the tank, so it was very encouraging,” Pletcher said of My Prankster.

Of Major General, Pletcher added, “Major General was a little bit green yesterday. When that horse came to him, he looked him in the eye and found some horse, so we're happy to see that.”

Pletcher is taking a wait-and-see approach for next starts for both 2-year-olds.

“We'll let the dust settle and see how it goes,” he said.

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Malathaat Pointing for CCA Oaks

Undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Malathaat (Curlin) will make her next start in Saratoga's GI CCA Oaks July 24 instead of the June 5 GI Belmont S., which was initially under consideration following her Apr. 30 GI Kentucky Oaks victory. The long range goal for the regally bred filly is the Breeders' Cup in November at Del Mar.

“Todd [Pletcher] and I have talked and have elected to bypass the Belmont,” Shadwell's Rick Nichols said. “She is a little light right now because she is still growing into the frame that she has. We want to give her a nice break and hopefully put some weight on her.”

He continued, “We will point her toward the CCA Oaks at Saratoga, which is 12 weeks from the Kentucky Oaks. Then we will aim for the [GI] Alabama [Aug. 21 at Saratoga], which is the main target, four weeks later. Then we will be able to give her a nice 10-week breather and head toward the Breeders' Cup.”

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‘Still Growing’ Malathaat To Bypass Belmont Stakes, Point To CCA Oaks At Saratoga

Shadwell's undefeated multiple Grade 1-winning 3-year-old filly Malathaat, winner of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on April 30, will skip the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) on June 5 and point toward Saratoga. The ultimate plan for the Stonestreet-bred, Todd Pletcher-trained divisional leader is the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, according to Shadwell Farm's Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols.

“Todd and I have talked and have elected to bypass the Belmont,” Nichols said. “She is a little light right now because she is still growing into the frame that she has. We want to give her a nice break and hopefully put some weight on her.

“We will point her toward the CCA Oaks at Saratoga, which is 12 weeks from the Kentucky Oaks,” he continued. “Then we will aim for the Alabama, which is the main target, four weeks later. Then we will be able to give her a nice 10-week breather and head toward the Breeders' Cup.”

The $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) is scheduled for July 24 over the same nine furlongs of the Kentucky Oaks, while the $600,000 Alabama (G1) is slated for Aug. 21 over 10 furlongs.

The Breeders' Cup World Championships take place on Nov. 5 and 6 at Del Mar. A specific race goal, either the $2 million Longines Distaff (G1) over nine furlongs or $6 million Longines Classic (G1) over 10 furlongs, will be determined at a later date.

In five perfect starts, the sophomore star has amassed $1,125,150 in earnings and four stakes wins, including graded scores in the aforementioned Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, G1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland and G2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct. Her '6' on the Ragozin Sheets from the Kentucky Oaks was equal to that of Medina Spirit one day later in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Bred in Kentucky and a daughter of Stonestreet stars Curlin and Dreaming of Julia, the sizable filly was consigned by Denali Stud and purchased for $1,050,000 at Keeneland's September Sale in 2019, one of the final in-person purchases of her late owner, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She is already the third-highest earner for Shadwell's 36-year US-based operation, trailing only Breeders' Cup-winning champions Invasor and Lahudood.

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Malathaat Could Enter Belmont Stakes, If Velazquez Is Available

Undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat is under consideration for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 5, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The 3-year-old daughter of Curlin is best suited by longer distances, explained Shadwell Farms' Vice President and General Manager Rick Nichols, and there aren't any other two-turn Grade 1 races for fillies and mares until July.

“It has crossed our minds,” Nichols told the TDN. “One issue would be whether or not we could get John Velazquez. If Medina Spirit wins the Preakness Stakes., obviously John will have to choose him for the Belmont. No one would blame him for choosing that horse.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher already has experience with successfully sending a filly from the Kentucky Oaks to win the Belmont Stakes, having accomplished the feat in 2007 with Rags to Riches. A total of three fillies have won the Belmont.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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