Unbridled Daddy appears eager to run in Woodhaven
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Based on Unbridled Daddy’s performance in his 3-year-old debut, trainer Todd Pletcher gave serious consideration to pointing the Scat Daddy colt to the Grade 2, $300,000 American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.
But the horse’s training indicates to Pletcher that there is no need to wait another two weeks to run him, so Unbridled Daddy likely will be the horse to beat in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodhaven Stakes going 1 1/16 miles over the Aqueduct turf course.
Unbridled Daddy is one of just two horses among the nine 3-year-olds entered who have won more than a maiden race. Too Discreet, a New York-bred, won the Schenectady Stakes last Aug. 21 at Saratoga and hasn’t run since.
Unbridled Daddy beat stablemate Azar in a maiden race at Saratoga last summer but finished third to that same rival in the Grade 2 With Anticipation, also at Saratoga. Unbridled Daddy then ran in the Grade 3 Bourbon at Keeneland but finished 10th of 14 on a yielding turf course.
“I don’t know if the ground wasn’t to his liking, but he didn’t run his race,” Pletcher said. “We decided to give him a break after that. The break seemed to do him really well. He grew up a bit, filled out a bit. I thought his comeback was promising.”
In his comeback race, Unbridled Daddy had to steady slightly around the first turn and again around the far turn. When angled into the clear by Javier Castellano, Unbridled Daddy closed strongly to beat Rappel by four lengths.
Rappel is back in this field and also had to steady around the far turn in that allowance race. He lost some position because of it but did show some tenacity in rallying to be second.
Highland Sky, second in the Cutler Bay Stakes; Mighty Mo, a maiden winner on turf at Gulfstream; Dixie Runner, a son of Flatter who tries turf for the first time for trainer Chad Brown; and In Equality, who was sixth in the Grade 2 Risen Star, are other contenders.
Woodhaven, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Unbridled Daddy, by Scat Daddy
Last 3 Beyers: 84-66-74
◗ Took advantage of a strong pace and a ground-saving trip to record a four-length victory in his 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream.
◗ Would benefit from a contested pace, with potential speeds Too Discreet, Mighty Mo, and Dixie Runner in the field.
◗ Manny Franco replaces Castellano, who is at Keeneland.
Rappel, by Elusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 76-72-72
◗ Was gelded after his 2-year-old season because he was too tough, according to trainer Robert Ribaudo.
“He came back just as tough,” Ribaudo said.
◗ Though Ribaudo questioned the gelding’s ability to go a distance of ground, Rappel closed well and galloped out strong when beaten by Unbridled Daddy.
“I was concerned he’d be on the lead and stop,” Ribaudo said. “He settled, and he galloped out well. We’re going to take the same approach Saturday.”
◗ Angel Arroyo replaces Luis Saez, who is committed to Highland Sky.
Highland Sky, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-78
◗ Broke awkwardly and had to rally from last to be second to the loose-on-the-lead Giant Run in the Cutler Bay Stakes at Gulfstream.
◗ Had excuses when running fourth in the Grade 3 Pilgrim and sixth in Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last year.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Too Discreet. Trainer Christophe Clement is 10-6-0-1 with a $4.63 ROI over the past five years with horses in the first route of their career following a layoff of 180 days or more. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 5 Mighty Mo. Trainer Bill Mott is 43-12-1-5 with a $3.06 ROI over the past two years in turf routes with last-out maiden winners. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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