Daredevil to launch season in Swale

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said that Daredevil, who won the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes last year, will make his 3-year-old debut next Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Swale Stakes going seven furlongs.

Daredevil raced three times last year. After winning his debut against maidens and then capturing the Champagne, he was caught up in a hot pace duel while wide in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita and finished last of 11. That was his only start going two turns.

Pletcher nominated nine 3-year-olds to the Swale. The only other horse he had seriously considered for the race was Competitive Edge. Pletcher on Friday said Competitive Edge will not run in the Swale because he does not want to run Competitive Edge and Daredevil against one another.

Pletcher said he was unsure when Competitive Edge will make his comeback. But Pletcher said he and the owners are not necessarily going to try to make a Kentucky Derby horse out of Competitive Edge.

Competitive Edge won both of his starts last year, including the Grade 1 Hopeful.

Among those likely to take on Daredevil in the Swale are Grand Bili, Ready for Rye, Souper Colossal, X Y Jet, and possibly Senor Grits.