Pletcher has big week with plenty to look forward to

Seven wins, including five stakes at three different tracks, have given trainer Todd Pletcher much to look forward to moving forward.

The run began with Nearly’s victory in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on Jan. 31 at Gulfstream, continued with stakes wins by Be You and Scalable at Aqueduct last Friday, and concluded with Renegade and Zany taking the Sam F. Davis and Suncoast stakes, respectively, Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Nearly and Renegade will continue their march down the Kentucky Derby trail in the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, Grade 1 stakes at Gulfstream and Oaklawn, respectively, on March 28.

Zany, who improved her record to 3 for 3, is likely to run next in the Grade 1 Ashland on April 3 at Keeneland.

Be You, who won the Toboggan at Aqueduct last Friday, likely earned himself a start in the Grade 2, $300,000 Carter Stakes on April 3 at Aqueduct. Be You, a 5-year-old gelding by Curlin, showed the ability to succeed by laying closer to the pace than he typically has in his previous races.

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“Wasn’t sure how well he was going to kick having to lay a little closer to the pace the way the track was playing,” Pletcher said. “Kendrick [Carmouche] had to get him into a better position, and he was still able to kick on when he needed to.”

Be You earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance.

Scalable, who Pletcher also trains for Mike Repole, won the Ladies by 2 1/4 lengths, her first victory at 1 1/8 miles. Scalable, a 5-year-old daughter of Speightstown, has now won stakes from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Pletcher said he and Repole will discuss whether Scalable stays in training or becomes a broodmare.

In addition to the two stakes wins Friday, Pletcher won an open allowance race with the New York-bred Prince Valiant, who earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure for his performance. Pletcher was uncertain where Prince Valiant would run next.

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