Pletcher's Breeders' Cup runners staying put for final works
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – When it comes to where he is going to prepare his horses for this year’s Breeders’ Cup, trainer Todd Pletcher said he is staying put.
Instead of assembling all his horses at Keeneland, which he did a year ago ahead of a trip to Southern California, Pletcher will have his potential runners for this year’s Breeders’ Cup event based at three different venues until they ship out later this month. This year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Fierceness, a top contender for the $7 million Classic, will continue to train at Saratoga, where on Thursday he breezed five furlongs in 1:01.46, according to track clockers. Fierceness finished a couple of lengths ahead of the New York-bred Donegal Surges and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.76 and seven furlongs in 1:28.28.
“That’s what he does,” Pletcher said. “Having trouble finding anyone to keep up with him in the mornings.”
Tapit Trice, who on Sept. 28 won the Grade 2 Woodward Stakes at Aqueduct to punch his Classic ticket, is at Belmont Park. On Friday morning, Tapit Trice worked a half-mile in 49.02 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form, over the training track. Tapit Trice finished slightly ahead of Grade 2 Suburban Stakes winner Crupi while galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.17 and six furlongs in 1:14.94.
“First breeze back, thought both horses were moving very well,” Pletcher said. “Good breeze, strong gallop-out. Sort of typical of what we’re accustomed to seeing from them.”
Pletcher said plans for Crupi’s next start aren’t finalized, but it seemed unlikely he would be pointed to the Classic.
Pletcher has Futurity Stakes winner Mentee (Juvenile Turf), and Grand Sonata (Turf) as well as possible Juvenile Turf pre-entrant Noble Confessor at Saratoga. In addition to Tapit Trice, Pletcher has Futurity runner-up Gate to Wire (Juvenile Turf Sprint) at Belmont. Possible Breeders’ Cup starters Candied (Distaff) and Tenacious Leader (Juvenile Turf) are at Keeneland, where they made their most recent starts last weekend.
In deciding to keep the horses where they are, Pletcher said he is happy with the racing surfaces at both Saratoga and Belmont, and, to date, the weather has been excellent. Pletcher’s New York-based horses are expected to ship out Oct. 27.
Pletcher said last year he had more horses based at Keeneland that had run well in their final Breeders’ Cup preps “and it made sense to consolidate. It didn’t make as much sense after [last] weekend.”
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