Betting with, and against, Nest in the Coaching Club American Oaks

A handful of three-year-old fillies will vie in Saturday’s $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga. The nine-furlong affair attracted arguably the top-two horses in the division, led by Todd Pletcher’s #3 Nest (1-1).

By Curlin, the $350,000 yearling buy has been superb in 2022, with a pair of graded stakes tallies as well as two huge runner-up showings in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Belmont S. (G1).

Nest has been a very good performer since day one but has elevated her game this season, capped by a superb effort at Belmont Park against the boys when posting a career-best 108 Brisnet Speed number. The bay filly will be fully fit and ready to showcase her talent on Saturday. Irad Ortiz will get back in the silks atop the standout sophomore.

Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine #5 Secret Oath (6-5) will be a mighty challenger in the field for D. Wayne Lukas. The stellar daughter of Arrogate put in some dominant performances in the spring, and she finished a respectable fourth in the Preakness S. (G1) in her latest showing.

The Briland Farm color bearer has been training in strong fashion in advance of her return, which includes a fine five-furlong breeze on the Oklahoma in her latest morning move.

Secret Oath is not quick out of the gate, but she possesses a high cruising speed and figures to take to the Saratoga strip in her first try at The Spa. Luis Saez retains the mount atop the fantastic filly.

Bill Mott’s #4 Nostalgic (10-1) has appeal for the exacta if one of the aforementioned pair fails to fire. The Godolphin homebred was a smart victress of the Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct in April, and she is a much better filly than she showed when 10th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her latest endeavor. The Medaglia d’Oro bay is bred for the distance and has trained consistently in preparation of this big test.

Nest – With

• $30 trifecta: 3 with 5 with 4 ($30)
• $10 trifecta: 3 with 4 with 5 ($10)
• $1 trifecta: 3 with 4, 5 with all ($6)

Nest – Against

• $10 trifecta: 4, 5 with 3, 4, 5 with 3, 4, 5 ($40)
• $2 trifecta: 4, 5 with 4, 5 with all ($8)