Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's two contenders for the $1.25-million Travers (G1), multiple graded stakes winners Forte and Tapit Trice, each recorded their final works on Saturday in preparation for next weekend's prestigious 1 1/4-mile test for sophomores at Saratoga Race Course.
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's reigning champion 2-year-old male Forte, who did not wear blinkers for his work last week, wore blinkers once again in his latest breeze when covering a half-mile in :50.50 in company with three-time winning 4-year-old colt Bright Future. A last-out winner of the Jim Dandy (G2) at the Spa, Forte covered the same distance last week in :48.33.
“He looked super, was moving really well and got into a nice rhythm,” said Pletcher, who vies for his third Travers win. “Sometimes if you put them [blinkers] on all the time, you lose a little effect. We were just looking to keep him as good as he is going into this. We got a good, steady work and a good strong gallop out. He was well within himself throughout and I think he's moving terrific. He seems really happy, so we're trying to just keep him happy.”
A four-time Grade 1 winner, Forte looks to cement his place atop the sophomore division after wins in the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2) this spring at Gulfstream Park, as well as a runner-up finish to Arcangelo off 10-week's rest in the Belmont Stakes (G1) Bets. He is 2-for-3 at Saratoga, capturing last year's Hopeful (G1) and the aforementioned Jim Dandy on July 29.
Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable's Blue Grass (G1) winner Tapit Trice became the latest Pletcher trainee to add blinkers, sporting them for the first time in a timed work when covering a half-mile solo in :49.22 under the guidance of jockey Jose Ortiz, who picks up the mount from Luis Saez in the Travers.
Pletcher said Tapit Trice, who was last seen finishing a closing fifth in the Haskell (G1) on July 22, is often hindered by a lack of early speed.
“His weakness so far has been getting out of the gate and getting into a good position,” said Pletcher. “We're hoping that will help a little with that, maybe keep him a little more focused throughout the race. We galloped him earlier in the week with blinkers and he seemed to be dialed in a little more, and it seemed like that was the case breezing this morning.”
Pletcher added he is pleased with the addition of Jose Ortiz as Saez rides Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in the Travers.
“We had a couple choices rider wise – we felt like Jose would be a good fit for him and we wanted to get him familiar with the horse today,” said Pletcher. “He was impressed. He thought it was perfect and said he was focused but not rank. Just the effect you would want [with blinkers].”
Tapit Trice finished a nose back of Forte in the Belmont Stakes to claim show honors after finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby. He won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in March ahead of his determined neck score over Verifying in the Blue Grass.
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