Eye-catching debut winner Annapolis returns in Pilgrim Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. – Annapolis, a most impressive debut winner routing on the turf at the Saratoga meet, looms a short-priced favorite against at most five rivals in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park. The Pilgrim could lead to the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf next month at Del Mar.
A son of War Front out of the dirt graded stakes winner My Miss Sophia, Annapolis rallied from as far back as eighth in a 10-horse field to win his debut by 4 1/2 lengths at Saratoga on Sept. 4. He was in a little tight going into the first turn, settled nicely down the backside, then made an eye-catching four wide move around the turn and into the stretch to get the victory.
“We liked what we saw in his training up to it,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “When we breezed him on the turf at Saratoga, he seemed to really take to it. Some of the horses he worked with were very competitive.
“I loved the way he settled. He was very professional and kicked on well late. I thought it was a very professional debut.”
Pletcher also entered Midnight Worker in the Pilgrim. Midnight Worker has a win and a third from two starts, both on dirt. Pletcher said he worked Midnight Worker twice on the turf, with his second move an improvement over his first. However, Pletcher said he was not sure if he was going to run him in the Pilgrim or wait for next Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity at six furlongs to try the turf.
Portfolio Company, a son of Kitten’s Joy, was a debut winner going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga and then finished second behind Coinage in the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes. Portfolio Company was a bit hard to handle early on in both races and may need to settle down more to be competitive with Annapolis.
After winning his debut impressively at Saratoga on July 31, Limited Liability finished third as the 4-5 favorite behind Coinage and Portfolio Company in the With Anticipation. Trainer Shug McGaughey is adding blinkers to Limited Liability’s equipment on Sunday. He worked just okay in the new equipment last Sunday.
“He wasn’t keen with them on,” McGaughey said. “I’m hoping he’ll engage a little earlier depending on the pace.”
Jose Ortiz is named to ride Limited Liability from post 4.
Doctor Jeff, a son of Street Boss, won his debut in an off-the-turf race here on July 10 before finishing fifth behind winner High Oak in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at Saratoga on Aug. 14. He has worked twice over Belmont’s turf for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, showing a good finish in company with Yankee Division last Sunday.
City At Night, a maiden trained by Mike Maker, is also entered in the Pilgrim. He is cross-entered in Saturday’s $150,000 Laurel Futurity, where he is the 9-2 co-second choice on the morning line.