Goldberg points Force the Pass to Poker – and crosses fingers

ELMONT, N.Y. – It has been a frustrating spring for trainer Alan Goldberg when it comes to Force the Pass, last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby winner.

After having to pass three spots with Force the Pass, Goldberg is eyeing next Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Poker Stakes at a mile here for the colt’s next start.

“I’m on Plan D,” Goldberg said Thursday. “Hopefully, we’ll get there.”

Force the Pass finished third in the Grade 3 Appleton at Gulfstream on April 2. Goldberg was planning to run him back in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at Belmont on May 7, but rain made the turf soft, and Goldberg opted to scratch and wait for the Grade 2 Dixie at Pimlico.

At Pimlico, Force the Pass coughed, and Goldberg had to scratch him again. Goldberg was then thinking of last weekend’s Red Bank at Monmouth Park but still felt that the horse was not at his best and didn’t enter.

On Wednesday, Goldberg worked Force the Pass a half-mile at his Colts Neck Stables and said he timed the horse in 46 seconds.

“Now, he’s doing great,” Goldberg said. “He worked 46 like it was nothing.”

Among those pointing to the Poker are Grand Arch, Takeover Target, Il Segreto, and perhaps King Kreesa.