Expected to be named Champion Juvenile Colt of 2022, Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Forte is unlikely to race again until March of his sophomore season. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher told the Thoroughbred Daily News that for his first start of 2023, the son of Violence will be targeted at the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 4.
Following the Fountain of Youth, Pletcher plans to send Forte to either the G1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland or keep him at Gulfstream for the G1 Florida Derby.
“I like the Grade 1 status of those races and the timing. As for the Blue Grass, he certainly seems to like the track at Keeneland,” Pletcher told TDN.
A three-time Grade 1 winner, Forte already has a victory over the Keeneland track (Breeders' Futurity). The colt was a $110,000 purchase at the Keeneland September yearling sale, and broke his maiden at first asking in May at Belmont Park. He finished fourth in the G3 Sanford, then won three straight concluding with the Breeders' Cup.
Forte is the current leader in the Road to the Kentucky Derby points standings with 40.
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
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