Violette has pair ready for action

ELMONT, N.Y. - Times being what they are, the two richest races on Thursday's card are $50,000 maiden special weights that start a stretch of five consecutive races for nonwinners.

The all-maiden early pick four begins with a five-furlong dash that attracted eight 2-year-olds training at five different tracks, including the Rick Violette-trained entry of Bail Out the Cat and Pretend and Extend. Those two were purchased respectively for $150,000 and $75,000 out of the Ocala Breeders' Sales February select sale, the first major 2-year-old auction of the season.

Alan Garcia was named on both, so only one will start.

"I think both of these guys can run a little bit, but Bail Out the Cat has a little more experience, so he'll probably start," Violette said. "I hedged a bit at entry time in case someone came up with a shin or a snotty nose."

Violette unveiled several winning 2-year-olds at Belmont's 2009 spring-summer meet, notably Worstcasescenario, another OBS sales graduate who went on to capture the Adirondack for Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence.

The priciest member of the lineup is Gold Necessities, who was purchased as a yearling for $250,000 out of Keeneland's September sale by Kelly Breen on behalf of George and Lori Hall. Two years earlier, these connections bought Bold Union out of the same sale, and developed her into a multiple stakes winner, beginning with a win in the 2008 Astoria here by nearly 10 lengths.

Gold Necessities, by Seeking the Gold and out of the $1 million earner Bare Necessities, recently worked in company on several occasions at Monmouth Park with stablemate Nacho Saint, who ran second in his debut there Sunday, earning a 76 Beyer Figure.

"He holds his own against that one," said Breen. "He's bred to go a bit longer, but he's ready. I'd like to see him finish up well."

Pluck, a Team Valor homebred by More Than Ready, has trained well at Delaware Park for Todd Pletcher.

Kid Curry, Soldat, Merciless Cat, and Cousin Frankie also were entered.

More Than a Reason, who finished off the board in Saturday's True North, heads race 8, a one-mile starter allowance that is the day's only non-claiming race for winners.

Other contenders include Fuhrever Dancing, Stealth Missile and Seniors Pride.