Talent evenly spread in 10-horse Forego

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Todd Pletcher said "Take out Kona Gold and Caller One, and the sprint division is wide open."

Pletcher's comment pretty much sums up Saturday's $250,000 Forego Handicap, a Grade 1 race at Saratoga.

The 10-horse field is so evenly matched that only four pounds separate highweights Alannan and Say Florida Sandy from the low weights in one of the final major preps for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Pletcher has entered a pair for the 6 1/2-furlong dash, Left Bank and Texas Glitter. Of the two, Left Bank appears the biggest threat coming off a 7 3/4-length allowance victory here on Aug. 13.

"I thought his race the other day was really good," said Pletcher of Left Bank. "He's very sharp right now. As good as he can be."

Texas Glitter has been a turf specialist this past year but did finish second behind Affirmed Success in the off-the-turf Jaipur Handicap. His presence should assure an honest pace.

Alannan has not started since finishing a well-beaten second behind Bet on Sunshine in the Aristides Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 30. Earlier this season he won a pair of Grade 2 sprints, the Commonwealth Breeders' Cup and Churchill Downs handicaps.

"You can't make every dance and I just felt it was time for him to have a break after the Aristides," said Carl Nafzger, who trains Alannan for Eaglestone Farm.

Say Florida Sandy shares topweight of 117 with Alannan on the strength of his three graded stakes victories this season. He was also second behind Peeping Tom in the Grade 1 Carter.

Hook and Ladder and Bonapaw also loom major threats.

Hook and Ladder won all three of his starts in Florida, including the Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap last winter, but tailed off upon shipping north, finishing third in the Carter Handicap and a well-beaten eighth in the True North.

"He had a quarter crack building before the Carter and it really blew in the [True North]," said trainer John Kimmel. "His foot is nice and stable now and he's training awesome - as well as if not better than down in Florida over the winter."

Bonapaw has won three stakes, including the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint in 2001, and looks to avenge a half-length setback at the hands of Alannan in the Churchill Downs Handicap.

Big E E, Delaware Township, Valiant Halory, and Wake at Noon complete the lineup.