Forest Caraway seems well spotted to win New York debut

ELMONT, N.Y. – When she raced in Southern California at ages 2 and 3, Forest Caraway was facing some top-tier competition.

Friday, when she makes her first start in New York and first in eight months, Forest Caraway shouldn’t find the competition nearly as tough in a second-level allowance for fillies and mares, race 8 on Belmont Park’s nine-race card.

Previously with Peter Miller in California, Forest Caraway will be making her first start for trainer Todd Pletcher in this six-furlong race.

“For us, since we received her, she’s been very honest and straightforward in her training,” Pletcher said.

In 2020, at age 2, Forest Caraway won her debut and then finished second to Princess Noor in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante. Princess Noor would go on to win the Grade 2 Chandelier.

At 3, she won a first-level allowance at Del Mar in August off a 10-month layoff, then faced the likes of Private Mission and Livingmybestlife in stakes. Both of those horses would go on to win an additional stakes subsequent to defeating Forest Caraway.

Forest Caraway shows seven works for her return for Pletcher, who has solid numbers with horses off a layoff and those making their first starts for him.

“First time off a layoff, but I suppose she should be fit and ready to give her best effort,” said Pletcher, who has Luis Saez to ride from post 5.

There looks to be some speed in this field with Fouette drawn in post 3 under Irad Ortiz Jr. Fouette last won a five-furlong allowance at Indiana Grand for Steve Amsussen in November. She went 0 for 2 on synthetic at Turfway Park for Reeve McGaughey. Friday, she goes out first time for Linda Rice.

Rice also sends out Betsy Blue, who breaks from the rail under Jose Lezcano. Betsy Blue won a New York-bred allowance and an open-company allowance in a three-week span during the winter at Aqueduct. She came back quick again and finished fifth as the 2-5 favorite in an open-company second-level allowance on March 31.

She did win her only start at Belmont, a 5 1/4-length victory in the Bouwerie Stakes last May over a sealed, muddy surface.

Rossa Veloce won this condition at Aqueduct in March when offered for the tag. She then finished fifth in an optional $80,000 claiming race from which she was taken by trainer William Morey. She is back at the second-level allowance condition, but is not being offered for the optional $62,500 claiming price.

◗ The first open-company 2-year-old race of the meet will be held as Friday’s first race. A field of five is entered to go five furlongs, led by Forte, a son of debut winner Violence going out for Pletcher.

“I’ve been pleased with him,” Pletcher said. “He was one of the first ones to come into Palm Beach. He looks very much like his sire – straightforward, professional. Works have been good. Hopefully, five-eighths is not too short for him.”

Pletcher also sends out Gotta Like Him, a son of Tapwrit. Vamonos, a son of Super Saver, finished fourth in a two-furlong maiden race at Parx on April 26.