Speed gives Stanford edge in Curlin
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Todd Pletcher is doing a juggling act with his 3-year-olds this weekend, but his plans seem set for at least one horse, Stanford, who could be the horse to catch and beat in Friday’s $100,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.
Pletcher entered Stanford in both the Curlin and Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer. On Wednesday, Pletcher said Tommy Macho and Madefromlucky would run in West Virginia while Stanford runs here. Tommy Macho was entered in the Curlin as well.
Stanford, coming off a stalking victory in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth Park, could play out as the primary speed in the Curlin, depending on whether Tekton runs. Tekton has been entered in the Curlin, West Virginia Derby, and Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy here.
Pletcher pointed out that Stanford ran well on the lead in the Louisiana Derby, losing by a neck, and that he’s won from a stalking position as well.
“I think he’s versatile,” Pletcher said.
After a horrible winter at Oaklawn Park, Tekton bounced back with an allowance win at Pimlico before suffering a narrow loss in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth.
Completing the field are Unrivaled, third in a Parx allowance last out; Smart Transition, fourth in the Dwyer at Belmont; and supplemental entrants Battle Midway and King of New York.
The Curlin, run at 1 1/8 miles, and the Jim Dandy are local preps for the $1.25 million Travers here Aug. 29. Last year, V. E. Day won the Curlin before beating Jim Dandy winner Wicked Strong in the Travers.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stanford (Last 3 Beyers: 88-87-94)
◗ The biggest question could be his effectiveness at 1 1/8 miles. He was beaten a neck by International Star in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and finished second behind Materiality – though disqualified to last – in the Islamorada Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Both stakes were at 1 1/8 miles.
“With the right pace scenario, he’d get a mile and an eighth,” Pletcher said.
◗ He has been working head-and-head recently with Competitive Edge.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Stanford. Trainer Todd Pletcher is 14-6-1-4 with a $3.09 ROI over the past five years in dirt-route non-graded stakes at Saratoga. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Tekton (Last 3 Beyers: 94-89-58)
◗ Trainer Tony Dutrow has always had high hopes for Tekton, but the horse disappointed at Oaklawn before showing himself in races at Pimlico and Monmouth Park. In the Pegasus, Tekton was beaten a head by Mr. Jordan.
“Mr. Jordan was so far out there my horse didn’t see him,” said Dutrow. “My horse was winning the race easily. He wasn’t all out trying to get to the wire, he was coasting in there. Since then, my horse has trained even better than that.”
◗ As of Wednesday morning, Dutrow and owner John Ed Anthony had yet to decide where to run Tekton.
Smart Transition (Last 3 Beyers: 93-88-87)
◗ An improving son of Smart Strike, this colt won around two turns in a maiden race at Santa Anita in April.
◗ He finished third in a first-level allowance race on the Belmont Stakes undercard, and the runner-up, Tiz Shea D, came back to win the Indiana Derby.