Pletcher takes two shots at Spinaway repeat
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Todd Pletcher has won Saratoga’s prestigious Spinaway Stakes five times, but he’s never been able to go back-to-back. He’ll try to change that Saturday when he sends out the potent pair of Sweet Loretta and Cherry Lodge in the seven-furlong, Grade 1 dash for 2-year-old fillies.
Pletcher, who won the 2015 Spinaway with Rachel’s Valentina, likes the chances of both Sweet Loretta and Cherry Lodge, and why not? Sweet Loretta is undefeated in two starts and the only graded stakes winner in the field, having captured the Grade 3 Schuylerville by 4 1/4 lengths on opening day.
Cherry Lodge came highly touted for her career debut on Aug. 7 and delivered as advertised, defeating Amapola by a length. Amapola had set a track record for 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Park in June but was disqualified from the 9 3/4-length win.
“Both fillies have been very good so far and complement each other’s styles nicely,” Pletcher said of Sweet Loretta and Cherry Lodge. “We found Sweet Loretta likes coming from a little off the pace, while the other is pretty straightforward. She wants to be involved early. Sweet Loretta has a bit of an experience edge over Cherry Lodge, and the way she finished up last time at six furlongs, stretching out to seven furlongs shouldn’t be an issue. And Cherry Lodge should relish running more distance, based on her pedigree.”
Although the Pletcher duo is formidable, they face stern challenges from the stakes winner Pretty City Dancer and Runway Doll, a 13 1/2-length winner of her only start.
Pretty City Dancer has been freshened by trainer Mark Casse since rallying to a 3 1/4-length triumph in the six-furlong Debutante at Churchill Downs on July 2. The late-striding daughter of Tapit also figures to relish the added ground in the Spinaway.
Runway Doll was eased up late in her maiden voyage on a sloppy track here and likely could have bettered the 76 Beyer Speed Figure she posted had Julian Leparoux ridden her harder.
Completing the lineup are Fun, a distant second behind Sweet Loretta in the Schuylerville; the speedy You Know Too, who finished second in a stakes at Delaware; and Special Risk, the only maiden in the field.
Key Contenders
Sweet Loretta, by Tapit
Beyers: 75-63
◗ She won the Schuylerville despite hesitating and giving away several lengths at the break.
◗ She’ll be ridden for the first time by Javier Castellano. John Velazquez, who was aboard for her impressive victory in the Schuylerville, chose to ride Cherry Lodge instead.
Cherry Lodge, by Bernardini
Beyer: 89
◗ Well-bred filly is kin to three graded stakes winners, including Stormello, who captured the Grade 1 Hollywood Futurity during his 2-year-old campaign.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Cherry Lodge. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 17-5-2-2 with a $2.17 ROI over the past five years with juveniles making their second career start in a graded stakes race at Saratoga and with John Velazquez aboard. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit
Beyers: 75-59-62
◗ Irad Ortiz will replace the injured Leparoux, who guided the improving filly to both of her victories.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Pretty City Dancer. Trainer Mark Casse is 23-0-2-3 over the past five years in dirt sprints at Saratoga. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 3 Runway Doll. Trainer Steve Asmussen is 10-2-2-6 with a $0.90 ROI over the past five years with juveniles making their second career start in a graded stakes race. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan