Pletcher sends speed-closer team in Adirondack
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Tonasah and Delicate Lady give trainer Todd Pletcher a formidable one-two punch in Saturday’s $200,000 Adirondack Stakes. The Grade 2 fixture drew a field of seven juvenile fillies going 6 1/2 furlongs.
Tonasah and Delicate Lady were in different barns when each won their debut on the same day, July 2. Tonasah won for Pletcher at Belmont Park and Delicate Lady for Carlos Silva over the Polytrack at Arlington Park. Delicate Lady was subsequently purchased privately by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and turned over to Pletcher.
Tonasah had actually been entered once before her maiden win, in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont on June 6, but ran off for nearly 15 minutes prior to the race and was scratched. But she was on her best behavior when she led gate to wire to win by 5 1/2 lengths four weeks later. Delicate Lady, by Thunder Gulch, should complement her new stablemate’s speed nicely in light of her come-from-behind 6 1/2-length victory in her debut.
“Delicate Lady has trained well and acclimated to the dirt with no problem,” said Pletcher. “She ran professionally and well in her only start, and with her pedigree, you’d think she’d want more distance.”
Pletcher had originally planned on running Tonasah in the Schuylerville Stakes on opening day but wasn’t pleased with her final breeze prior to the race.
“I’ve been happier with her recent breezes,” Pletcher said. “We’ve got her relaxed the first part, and she’s been finishing well, galloping out strongly.”
Decked Out, who finished second in the Astoria and third in the Schuylerville, and Just Wicked, an impressive maiden winner here earlier in the meet, are the most experienced members of the field and could provide the Pletcher pair with their stiffest tests.
Kandoo, Lookout Sister, and Heartbreaker Girl each captured their only start. Kandoo won a Lasix-free race for fillies at Gulfstream Park on July 18 by nearly six lengths. She will race with Lasix in the Adirondack. Lookout Sister rallied from midpack to a 1 3/4-length maiden win at Delaware Park, while Heartbreaker Girl easily defeated $50,000 maiden claimers at Gulfstream three weeks ago.
Key contenders
Tonasah (Beyer: 66)
◗ Although she’s been taught to rate in the mornings, Pletcher said he is not about to take away her abundant speed on Saturday. “We’re not going to look to take her out of her element, but hopefully she’ll settle enough to get 6 1/2,” he said.
Delicate Lady (Beyer: 72)
◗ Over the last five years, Pletcher owns a 24 percent success rate with horses switched to his barn for the first time, with a return on investment of just $1.30, according to DRF Formulator.
Just Wicked (Beyers: 74-69)
◗ Owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure of the bunch and is the only member of the field with a win over the track.
Decked Out (Last 3 Beyers: 63-66-68)
◗ The class of this group, having placed in stakes twice, and the only one to have run farther than 5 1/2 furlongs.