Nest faces seven in Ashland on Keeneland's opening day

Apr 05, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Hoping to follow in the hoofsteps of stablemate Malathaat, Nest will
use Friday's $600,000 Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland as a potential springboard
toward the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (G1). The Todd Pletcher-trained filly is one of
eight in Friday's 1 1/16-mile Ashland, the feature on opening day of Keeneland's
spring meet. Kentucky Oaks qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 will be awarded to
the respective top four finishers.

Like Malathaat, who went on to win the Oaks and the three-year-old filly
championship, Nest ended her juvenile campaign with a victory in the Demoiselle
(G2) at Aqueduct. Unlike Malathaat, Nest enters the Ashland with the benefit of
a prep, a facile six-length tally in the Feb. 12 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs.

Happy Soul, who has competed exclusively in races at or shorter than
six furlongs, is the only other open stakes winner in the field. The Runhappy
filly stretches out after a three-length romp in the Dixie Belle S. on Feb. 19,
her first outing since taking the Astoria S. by 11 lengths last June.

Cocktail Moments was third to Kathleen O. in the Davona Dale (G2) last
time, while Awake At Midnyte has placed in three straight graded tests,
including a last-out third in the Rachel Alexandra (G2). Another potential
player is Interstatedaydream, Grade 2-placed last season and an 8
1/4-length allowance winner around two turns at Oaklawn last month following a a
seven-month layoff.

Post time for the Ashland is 5:16 p.m. ET. It can be watched and wagered on
at TwinSpires.com.