Pletcher sends out Pirate to easy debut score

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Pirate, a 2-year-old son of Omaha Beach who was hammered down to 1-5 favoritism for his debut, didn’t disappoint, scoring a three-length victory in Saratoga’s first maiden race of the meet for male juveniles.

Breaking from the rail under Irad Ortiz Jr., Pirate went right to the lead, and took some early pressure from fellow firster Arteta. Pirate put that one away by the quarter pole and then turned aside a bid from Just Steel to win the 5 1/2 furlong-race. Pirate won in 1:04.89.

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“When you draw the one hole going 5 1/2 and you’re a heavy favorite you want to make sure you get it right,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He got away alertly but they put a lot of pressure on him early and the horse sitting in behind him had the benefit of a start. I thought it was a good performance, very professional like he’s been every day since we had him.”

Just Steel finished second by 4 1/4 lengths over Special Element.

Pletcher said the Grade 1 Hopeful Sept. 4 could be the next start, though he didn’t completely rule out the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special Aug. 12.

Tapit Trice confirmed for Haskell

Tapit Trice, the Grade 1 Blue Grass winner and third-place finisher in the Belmont Stakes, was confirmed by trainer Todd Pletcher as a starter in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park.

Tapit Trice, who missed a workout last week, worked a half-mile in 49.15 seconds Saturday morning at Belmont Park.

“He did what he normally does, which is work well and gallop-out strong and is moving great,” Pletcher said. “Everything we wanted to see to make us want to go to the Haskell.”

Luis Saez will ride Tapit Trice in the Haskell.

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