Pletcher trio seeks redemption in Fayette Stakes
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Race Day, Protonico, and Commissioner all share a few things in common: They’re accomplished older horses trained by Todd Pletcher, and all were drubbed by half a pole in their last starts.
They also share this: Any could rebound to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Fayette Stakes on the Breeders’ Cup undercard Friday at Keeneland, and hardly anyone would be surprised.
“Obviously, they’ve all shown they’re better than those last races,” said Pletcher.
Like so many of the BC events, the 1 1/8-mile Fayette is wildly competitive, with more than half the cast of 11 having shown themselves capable of victory. Triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures abound amid their running lines, as do recognizable names as past competitors. Aside from the Pletcher trio (uncoupled for wagering purposes), those other logical contenders include Hoppertunity, V. E. Day, Departing, Geothermal, and Encryption.
This is the 58th running of the Fayette, which has been won in recent years by such greats as Blame (2009) and Wise Dan (2011). Post time for the fifth of 10 Friday races is 2:47 p.m. Eastern.
KEY CONTENDERS
Protonico (Last 3 Beyers: 86-103-107)
◗ This seriously inconsistent colt has run some seriously good races, although the last-place finish behind stablemate Liam’s Map in the Grade 1 Woodward was another of his head-scratchers.
◗ He figures to press the pace from post 6 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
Hoppertunity (Last 3 Beyers: 102-99-100)
◗ This colt, who was scratched as the morning-line second choice in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, has had a very productive career ($1.4 million in earnings) for Bob Baffert, who also contemplated the Marathon later on this Friday program for him.
◗ This is his first time with Victor Espinoza up.
Race Day (Last 3 Beyers: 69-82-109)
◗ This gray colt has done his best work on or near the front end, and without much pace in here, he might take plenty of catching after John Velazquez sends him to the lead from post 3.
Commissioner (Last 3 Beyers: 78-102-109)
◗ This WinStar Farm homebred is perhaps best known for his near miss behind Tonalist in the 2014 Belmont Stakes, but he’s also a multiple graded stakes winner and an earner of more than $800,000.
◗ He has a versatile running style that gives jockey Javier Castellano options.
Departing (Last 3 Beyers: 92-86-75)
◗ The question of whether this 5-year-old gelding has lost a step is usually answered in the negative by trainer Al Stall Jr., who has managed a 20-race career that has netted nearly $1.8 million.
◗ He comes favorably drawn in post 2 with the underrated Brian Hernandez Jr. to ride.
V. E. Day (Last 3 Beyers: 92-95-102)
◗ This chestnut colt is winless in six starts since pulling his 19-1 stunner in the 2014 Travers, but he’s been facing rugged company all along.
◗ He turns back from a 1 5/8-mile race when reuniting with jockey Jose Lezcano, who went 3 for 3 on him last year.