Trainer Todd Pletcher began Saturday of opening weekend at the Saratoga in style, debuting promising juvenile Pirate, a half brother to Preakness (G1) winner National Treasure, in the first race, a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight.
The son of Omaha Beach coasted to a three-length victory in front-running fashion under Irad Ortiz Jr. and completed the trip in 1:04.89.
“He got away alertly, but they put a lot of pressure on him early. I thought it was a good performance and very professional like he's been since we got him,” Pletcher said.
Pletcher said the $300,000 Hopeful (G1) going seven furlongs on Sept. 4 at Saratoga is a logical option.
“We'll play it by ear. Normally we'd wait for the Hopeful, but we'll see how things go,” Pletcher said.
Bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Pirate was a $350,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where Bridie Harrison consigned the dark bay or brown colt out of Treasure, by Medaglia d'Oro. His second dam, Proposal, produced multiple stakes winner Inspired – the dam of graded stakes-placed Carmel Road. He hails from the female line of Mahubah, who was the dam of the mighty Man o' War and is great-great grandam of 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault.
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