Pletcher takes aim at Aqueduct turf stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After winning three graded stakes on dirt last Saturday at Aqueduct, trainer Todd Pletcher will aim for a pair of listed stakes scheduled for the turf on this Saturday’s nine-race program at Aqueduct.

Pletcher entered three 3-year-olds in the $100,000 Bridgetown at six furlongs. He also entered recent acquisition Not Taken in the $100,000 Plenty of Grace for older fillies and mares scheduled for a mile on the turf.

In the Bridgetown, Pletcher entered All Systems Go, a debut winner at Gulfstream in February; Barbarossa, third in the Texas Glitter at Gulfstream; and Coltandmississippi, who was unsuccessful in two stakes attempts on dirt at Aqueduct this year.

“Some of the Pioneerof the Nile [progeny] seem to handle it, the bottom side suggests turf, so we’ll give it a try,” Pletcher said of Coltandmississippi.

A field of eight was entered in the Bridgetown, including a pair of fillies from Wesley Ward – Mentality and Nootka Sound. Ward is only expected to run one, and Mentality is already in New York.

Others entered include Ambassador Jim, Black Stetson, and Smooth B.

Not Taken, a 5-year-old daughter of Arch, was recently purchased privately by Bonnie Baskin’s Blue Heaven Farm from Gatsas Stable. The mare was transferred to Pletcher after having made her first 15 starts for John Terranova.

Last fall, Not Taken won a second-level allowance and was beaten a nose by Penjade at odds of 22-1 in the Forever Together Stakes here. She made one start this year, finishing fourth of five in a six-furlong allowance race Feb. 23.

“Seems pretty straight forward,” Pletcher said. “They got a race into her on the dirt, hopefully that will move her forward. She seems to like the turf course at Aqueduct.”

The Plenty of Grace only drew a field of five, including My Impression, Uni, Fifty Five, and Stallion Heiress.