Theory, recovered from illness, makes 2017 debut in Bay Shore

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Theory is not part of the Todd Pletcher platoon pointed to the Kentucky Derby, but he could join some of the barn’s top 3-year-olds in prestigious races later in the year.

Theory starts his 3-year-old season Saturday as a probable heavy favorite in the Grade 3, $250,000 Bay Shore Stakes going seven furlongs at Aqueduct. Theory will meet five opponents in the first of five stakes on a 12-race program that begins at 12:45 p.m. Eastern.

Theory won his debut impressively last July at Saratoga. He developed a foot issue that kept him away from the races until Oct. 15, when he won the Grade 3 Futurity at Belmont. He wheeled back on short notice in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita but finished 10th.

Pletcher said Theory came out of the Juvenile very sick. He left the horse in Southern California for three weeks to recover before shipping him to his owner’s WinStar Farm in Lexington, Ky. Theory returned to the work tab in early January at Palm Beach Downs in Florida. He was being pointed to the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream on March 25, but the raced failed to fill.

After toying with the idea of running him in an allowance race at Keeneland, Pletcher opted for the Bay Shore.

“This appears to be a good spot to get him going again,” Pletcher said. “He has to give away a lot of weight to the field, but aside from that, distance-wise, it suits him well.”

Theory, the 123-pound highweight, could play out as the primary speed under John Velazquez after breaking from post 5.

Pletcher said he’s not sure what the Bay Shore will lead Theory to, he just wants to see the son of 2012 Wood winner Gemologist return to the races.

“We know that he’s talented at one turn, and I think at some point, if he shows us in his training that he’s up to it, we’ll try to stretch him out again,” Pletcher said. “Right now, we’re just glad to get him going and hope he runs as well as he did in a couple of his races last year and take it from there.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Theory, by Gemologist
Last 3 Beyers: 69-85-85

◗ Came out running as a 2-year-old, winning his six-furlong debut by 5 1/2 furlongs in pace-pressing fashion.

◗ Has been ready to run for about three weeks, according to Pletcher.

Caledonian, by Concord Point
Last 3 Beyers: 81-72-69

◗ Two-time stakes winner figures to be running late under Eric Cancel.

◗ Always a Suspect, whom Caledonian beat in the Lost in the Fog Stakes, came back with sharp allowance win Wednesday.

Long Haul Bay, by Quality Road
Last Beyer: 90

New York-bred got up by a nose over next-out winner Horoscope in his debut over the inner track Feb. 18.