Pletcher considering Haskell for Dr Post; Farmington Road works on turf
ELMONT, N.Y. – Dr Post, the Belmont Stakes runner-up, was scheduled to return to the work tab Saturday at Belmont Park, and trainer Todd Pletcher said he is leaning toward running him in the $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 18 at Monmouth Park.
“Seems like he’s come out of the race well, so this will be the first step toward making a decision,” Pletcher said Friday.
Pletcher said the timing of the Haskell isn’t great as a final prep for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby, but it might be better than waiting for the Runhappy Travers on Aug. 8 and coming back four weeks later in the Derby.
“Ideally, I’d like something a week or two later,” Pletcher said. “It’s back in four weeks and then seven weeks to the Derby or wait for the Travers and then have four weeks back to the Derby off a mile-and-a-quarter race against Tiz the Law. Just have to play it by ear, but right now I’d say we’re leaning towards the Haskell.”
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p>The Haskell is likely to come up with a small field. Authentic, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby, is pointing to that race for trainer Bob Baffert. Others who have been mentioned as possible include Ny Traffic and Ete Indien.
Farmington Road could move to turf
Farmington Road, who finished eighth in the Belmont, worked a half-mile in 49.94 seconds over the Belmont turf course Friday and could switch surfaces for his next start, Pletcher said.
Farmington Road worked in company with Legit, who also has never been on turf. The pair went their first quarter in 26.79 around orange traffic cones, known as dogs, to keep the workers away from the part of the course used for racing. They came home in 23.15.
“I thought they both seemed to handle it pretty well, keeps some options in play,” Pletcher said. “They seemed to quicken down the lane and came home pretty well. I’ll probably work them back before deciding.”
Farmington Road is by Quality Road out of the mare Silver La Belle, who is a half-sister to four-time turf graded stakes winner Silverfoot.