Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Forte to take Florida or Kentucky route to Kentucky Derby
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Forte, the 1 1/2-length winner of Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland, will get about a 30-day break before beginning preparations for a 3-year-old campaign that will likely include two races before a planned start in the May 6 Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Saturday morning that Forte “seems happy and proud of himself” following the Juvenile. He beat heavily favored Cave Rock and added to a resume that includes Grade 1 victories in the Hopeful at Saratoga and Breeders’ Futurity here four weeks ago. He should be a near-unanimous choice for an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male.
Pletcher said he didn’t know whether Forte would get his break in Kentucky or Florida, but that he would ultimately wind up in Florida at Palm Beach Downs, Pletcher’s winter base.
Pletcher, who won his third Juvenile, said the second of Forte’s two races before the Derby would be either the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 1 or the Blue Grass, presumably April 8, at Keeneland. Forte is 2 for 2 at Keeneland.
“You would certainly have to think about [the Blue Grass], but I think his style is such … I don’t think he would be at a disadvantage at Gulfstream or anywhere else,” Pletcher said.
By virtue of his Juvenile and Futurity victories, Forte has 40 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.
Forte was among the first 2-year-olds to come into Pletcher early this year at Palm Beach Downs. He likened him to a young Kevin Durant coming out of college.
“He’s tall and leggy and slender,” Pletcher said. “But part of what makes him so good is he’s got great action, and he’s always been an impressive mover.”
Pletcher said Forte “polished the race off a little more professionally” than he did when he beat Loggins by a neck in the Breeders’ Futurity.
Still, Pletcher said, “When he made the lead, he put his ears up, which gives you the impression there’s more in the tank.”
Forte, a son of Violence, is owned by Mike Repole and Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable. The Violas were part-owners of 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. Repole is still in search of his first Derby.
As pleased as Pletcher was with Forte, he was equally disappointed in Lost Ark, who was eased before crossing the finish line in the Juvenile. Lost Ark had finished a troubled sixth in the Breeders’ Futurity and was being considered for the Remsen at Aqueduct on Dec. 3 until he breezed well twice in company with Forte, Pletcher said.
Pletcher said he couldn’t find a real excuse for Lost Ark’s non-effort Friday.
“He seemed like he was being asked when they turned up the backside,” Pletcher said. “He was climbing from the kickback, never got into any sort of steady rhythm at all. He cooled out fine, scoped clean. Seemed okay this morning. I think we’ll probably keep him here, do a complete physical on him and give him a little break and regroup.”
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Cave Rock and National Treasure, second and third, in the Juvenile, came back fine, said their trainer, Bob Baffert. He doesn’t have any plans for either horse. The Juvenile was Cave Rock’s first defeat after three wins, including two Grade 1 stakes.
Baffert remains suspended by Churchill Downs through the 2023 Kentucky Derby, owing to the medication violation of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Derby. Moreover, horses trained by him are ineligible to accrue Derby points. In order to qualify for the Derby, Cave Rock and National Treasure would have to be transferred to another trainer and run in a Derby points race under that trainer’s care.
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