Litfin's preview: Juveniles boost Pletcher
PLETCHER’S DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Before Todd Pletcher goes after his 11th training title at Saratoga, he is on the verge of adding Belmont’s 2014 spring-summer meet to his trophy collection.
Heading into Friday – when first post is 3 p.m. Eastern – Pletcher held a 28-23 lead on Chad Brown, who has also been second to Pletcher at the Spa each of the past three years.
Annually, the difference between them at Saratoga has been Pletcher’s battalion of 2-year-olds. It’s fair to say the babies have been the difference at this meet, too. After a pair of fillies by freshman sire Eskendereya - Isabella Sings ($10.40) and Eskenformoney - ran first and fourth in Thursday’s opener on the turf, Pletcher had a 4-for-8 record with juveniles, while Brown has yet to start one.
2-YEAR-OLDS START PICK SIX
Pick six bettors will be able to factor tote action and pre-race appearance into their calculations for race 4, a 2-year-old maiden dash scheduled for the inner turf that kicks off the wager at 4:33 p.m.
Pletcher saddles two of the 11 colts entered for grass – Reality, a $150,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders’ March sale by freshman sire Super Saver, and Escondido, a son of Eskendereya who brought $370,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale.
Two homebreds to watch are Granny’s Kitten, a full brother to Grade 1 turf stakes winner Kitten’s Dumplings and last year’s’ P.G. Johnson winner Granny Mc’s Kitten, and Security Risk, a War Front colt out of Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks winner Smuggler who boasts a 386 Tomlinson rating for turf.
AMBERJACK RETURNS
Amberjack, who won last year’s Mike Lee and New York Derby before his bid for a sweep of the Big Apple Triple (and a $250,000 bonus) was denied by Escapefromreality in the Albany Stakes, makes his first start back from a layoff of nearly 11 months. Trained by Mike Hushion, Amberjack runs in race 8, a $75,000 allowance sprint for New York-breds.
Hushion also entered the speedy I’m Stoked, who has won three of four starts this year, capped by the G.W.Barker Stakes at Finger Lakes, and attempts to stretch out to 6 1/2 furlongs.
Weekend Hideaway, second to Amberjack as the 7-5 favorite in the Mike Lee last year, comes off two solid third-place finishes at the current meet. He was beaten in a three-way photo in the Affirmed Success opening weekend before setting the pace to deep stretch in the Commentator against the streaking Zivo, who returned to win last week’s Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at 13-1.
HORSES TO WATCH
ESKENFORMONEY
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Last race: July 10, 1st
Finish: 4th by 5 1/4
Beyer: 57
First-time starter by freshman sire Eskendereya was bet to just under 6-5, and was just getting warmed up behind stablemate Isabella Sings – another Eskendereya filly who went wire to wire. Likely to improve stretching out.