Malagacy shows maiden win no fluke

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher unleashed another top 3-year-old prospect here Sunday, Malagacy, who followed his 15-length maiden win with an equally eye-catching seven-length optional-claiming victory. He won the 6 1/2-furlong race as a 1-5 favorite under Javier Castellano, earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I thought it was a very professional effort,” said Pletcher. “He rated kindly, finished up well with his ears pricked at the wire like he had something left at the end.”

Pletcher said he has a “ton of two-turn options” coming up should he decide to stretch out Malagacy for his next start.

“One thing he has going for him is that he’s got a kind disposition, he’s very rateable and tractable,” Pletcher said. “That should help stretch him out if we decide to.”

Pletcher said he was somewhat surprised by Malagacy’s debut performance, which came over a sloppy track.

“I thought his last work prior to his debut was the first time he really indicated the type of caliber he’s now shown, although you never expect one to win the way he did the first time,” said Pletcher. “While pleased with the effort, it was on a sloppy track at 5 1/2 furlongs, and I needed to see him do it under different circumstances, which he did Sunday. He sat off other horses and adapted to a cuppy, dry track. I thought it was a big step forward again.”

Malagacy has joined an arsenal of Kentucky Derby prospects in the Pletcher barn that also includes Tapwrit, who finished second behind McCraken in last Saturday’s Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

“I thought he ran well,” said Pletcher. “He got bottled up inside, had to wait for room. McCraken kind of got the jump on him, but I liked the way he narrowed the gap the last part once he got clear. He’s a horse who just seems to be improving every time he runs.”

Pletcher said returning for the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 11 is the most likely scenario for Tapwrit.