Pletcher runners both look capable in co-feature
?q=100)
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Blueberry Hill was the only first-time starter in a field of seven when she won her maiden by 5 3/4 lengths going seven furlongs on Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park.
Thursday, Blueberry Hill will be the only second-time starter in a field of seven 3-year-old fillies attempting to navigate 1 1/16 miles in a first-level allowance/optional $75,000 claiming race that serves as the co-feature on a nine-race Gulfstream card that begins at 12:50 p.m. The program includes a first-level allowance/optional $75,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies sprinting on turf.
In her debut, Blueberry Hill broke running under Irad Oritz Jr., was pressed by the 4-5 favorite Keepsake – who had run second twice previously – before drawing away from that rival. It was another four lengths back to the third-place finisher.
“Anytime you’re the only one without a race under your belt, it makes a difference,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She broke sharply and traveled well throughout. She trained like she was ready to come with a good effort.”
Pletcher doesn’t seem concerned about stretching Blueberry Hill out in distance.
“She trains like she’ll keep going,” Pletcher said.
Although Pletcher began serving a seven-day suspension on Tuesday for a violation involving the regulated medication betamethasone, the horses he had entered prior to accepting the penalty are allowed to start due to the relatively minor nature of the infraction. During the suspension, Pletcher will be unable to enter horses and will be barred from conducting any training activities.
Pletcher also sends out Ruth in this spot. Ruth, a daughter of Uncle Mo, overcame a slow pace, wide trip, and some greenness to win her debut here in December by 1 1/2 lengths. Pletcher shipped Ruth to New York for the Busanda Stakes on Jan. 18, when she stumbled badly at the break and ultimately finished last of six.
“Basically could have called timeout at the start when she fell on her head like that,” Pletcher said. “It was unfortunate to ship up there and have that happen. Thankfully, she came out if it well. Expect an improved effort.”
Ruth gets Lasix and will wear blinkers for the first time in this spot.
Queen in the Deck finished second to Ruth in the December maiden race. She came out of it to win a maiden race going a mile and 40 yards at Tampa Bay Downs on New Year’s Day. She stepped up into stakes company in the Suncoast, where she finished next to last, 14 3/4 lengths behind La Cara.
Ruth gets Lasix and will wear blinkers for the first time in this spot.
Quinn’s Promise was a well-beaten third by Gulfstream Oaks-bound Paradise City in this same condition on Jan. 30. She did race a bit wide while attending the pace, but was basically done by the three-sixteenths pole. Trainer Dale Romans is 3 for 11 at this meet with horses making their second start off a layoff of 30 to 65 days.
Justinqueso finished second but was elevated to first when the stewards deemed that Dominant Diva interfered with her in the stretch of a six-furlong maiden race here on Dec. 19. Justinqueso earned an 85 Beyer Speed Figure for her effort. She had a bit of a difficult trip when finishing ninth of 11 in the Grade 3 Forward Gal here on Feb. 1.
In the co-featured turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies, Sharedashenanigans returns to face females after running a creditable fourth behind Mi Bago in the Alongquin Stakes last October at Woodbine. Sharedashenanigans, trained by Graham Motion, was beaten only 1 3/4 lengths by Mi Bago, who has since won three stakes, including last Saturday’s Colonel Liam at Gulfstream.
Saffie Joseph Jr. has two entered, both with the same front-running style, including Running Rio, who hasn’t run since a front-running score in a five-furlong debut at Santa Anita in May when trained by Luis Mendez. Joseph also entered Maddy R, who won her maiden going five furlongs here last Nov. 9 and was fifth, beaten three lengths in this condition on Dec. 7.
Sierra Leone working well
Sierra Leone, the Breeders’ Cup Classic winner who was forced to miss last month’s $20 million Saudi Cup due to a foot abscess, is on schedule to make his 4-year-old debut in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap on April 19, trainer Chad Brown said Sunday.
The foot abscess was identified shortly after a Jan. 26 workout at Payson Park. Sierra Leone was off the work tab for three weeks before returning with a half-mile move in 50.80 seconds on Feb. 15. He has followed that with two half-mile workouts, each timed in 49.60 seconds, including one last Saturday, at Payson Park.
“The first work back was definitely rusty, then he came back with two great works,” Brown said. “The two best works of this year so far were his last two. He went from being behind for the Saudi race to being two weeks ahead of schedule to make the Oaklawn race.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.