Competitive Edge towers over field in Woody Stephens

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said he had considered running Competitive Edge against older horses in Saturday’s Grade 1 Met Mile. He ultimately opted to go the more conservative route, keeping the undefeated and still-untested Competitive Edge with his own kind in the $500,000 Woody Stephens, in which he figures to be an overwhelming favorite going seven furlongs against a field of just five rivals, including stablemate Two Weeks Off.

“We kicked around the idea of the Met,” said Pletcher. “But when Johnny [Velazquez] committed to Tonalist, it left him without his regular jockey. It also looked like this particular Met was coming up pretty deep, so we decided to stick with the original plan.”

Competitive Edge has won his four career starts by a combined 28 lengths, including the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile by 4 1/2 lengths on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

“He’s an exceptionally talented horse, and it will be interesting to see when he has to get down and find a little more, how much more is there,” said Pletcher.

Two Weeks Off turns back to seven furlongs off a third-place finish as the 4-5 favorite in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan, fading late after contesting a lively pace to midstretch. Two Weeks Off is perfect in two previous starts going seven panels, earning a 104 Beyer Speed Figure when defeating entry-level allowance company by 6 1/2 lengths April 4 at Keeneland.

“He was a little keen, pulled a little hard for a mile and one-eighth, and didn’t run badly jumping up to a stakes for the first time in the Peter Pan,” said Pletcher. “And based on the strength of his Keeneland race, seven furlongs is probably the right distance for him.”

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Key contenders

Competitive Edge (Last 3 Beyers: 102-95-90)

He’s been on or with the lead in all previous outings, and there is other speed signed on for the Woody Stephens, but Pletcher said that should not be an issue. “I think he can sit and stalk, no problem,” he said.

Two Weeks Off (Last 3 Beyers: 90-104-77)

Formulator Fact: Pletcher owns a 21 percent success rate with horses turning back from routes to sprints over the past five years.

* Had his victory at Keeneland flattered when three of the also-rans from that race, R U Watchgbud, Mr. Romance, and Island Town, returned to capture their next starts.

Ready for Rye (Last 3 Beyers: 79-105-87)

* Owns the highest Beyer in the field, a 105 earned for his impressive win over Pletcher’s odds-on Daredevil in Gulfstream Park’s Grade 2 Swale.

March (Last 3 Beyers: 89-87-77)

* Looks like a very dangerous horse, an improving 3-year-old who continues to move forward with every start.

* He benefited from a perfect pace setup in the Bay Shore, as he and runner-up Lord Nelson rallied from last and next to last after the opening half-mile.

Cinco Charlie (Last 3 Beyers: 91-76-83)

* Five-time stakes winner is the richest horse in the field and looks like the one to catch while stretching back to seven furlongs.

Classy Class (Last 3 Beyers: 90-81-83)

* Multiple graded stakes-placed colt turned in a very impressive half-mile work here May 23, according to the Daily Racing Form Clocker Report.