Spice Is Nice reminds Pletcher there's no place like home

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Todd Pletcher wasn’t throwing around “g’day mate” and other Australian slang Wednesday morning, but maybe it’s because he didn’t spend all that much time in the Land Down Under.

“It was a short stay and long flights,” Pletcher said. “But it was a good time.”

Pletcher left for Australia the evening of Jan. 7 and was back on Florida soil Sunday night. Pletcher mixed a bit of pleasure on the country’s Gold Coast with his horse business.

“The main purpose was to meet with the people from Aquis Farm, who’ve bought some yearlings to send to my dad’s farm, get to know them a little bit,” Pletcher said by phone from his winter base at Palm Beach Downs in Delray Beach. “I also attended the Magic Millions yearling sale and went to the Magic Millions on Saturday” at the Gold Coast Turf Club in Queensland. “There was quite a bit of American participation, so I saw a lot of people I knew. It looks like they raise a high-quality horse over there.”

While he was away, his stable unveiled a potential star when Spice Is Nice romped in her career debut Sunday at Gulfstream Park, a one-mile maiden race for 3-year-old fillies. Pletcher watched the race live via TVG while aboard the final leg of his flight home from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale.

In winning by 12 lengths, Spice Is Nice was emulating her sire, Curlin, who won his career debut by 12 3/4 lengths on Feb. 3, 2007, at Gulfstream. Produced by the Bernardini mare Dame Dorothy, who was a Grade 1 winner of nearly $750,000, Spice Is Nice was purchased for $1,050,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale by Robert and Lawana Low. She earned an 84 Beyer Speed Figure in winning in 1:36.06.

“She’s a big, scopey filly we’ve taken our time with,” Pletcher said. “I trained her mother, so I was excited when the Lows turned her over to us. My dad and his team have always liked her, and she’s trained like a filly that could become something.”

Pletcher, a three-time winner of the Kentucky Oaks, said he “wouldn’t be afraid of running her back in a stake, although obviously we could go back in an allowance if the timing and everything else was right.”

“But she sure seems like a filly worth mapping out a plan toward the Oaks for,” he said.

For Pletcher, a 15-time Gulfstream wins leader (2004-18) and the all-time earnings leader in North American racing history with more than $387 million, the Spice Is Nice victory capped what was another memorable week.

“My impression of the Australian culture was very favorable,” he said. “The people are very friendly and they love their racing. The Gold Coast reminded me of Miami with the hotels on the beach and the great restaurants. It was a fun place to spend time and an overall great experience.”