Despite widespread social media speculation throughout Thursday, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher told the Courier-Journal that Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Forte is still an intended starter in Saturday's Run for the Roses.
The speculation started after a video clip showed Forte appearing to stumble during his Thursday morning gallop.
“It's not something you see very often,” Pletcher told the Courier-Journal. “He just kind of took a little bit of a bobble step and recovered right away. As you could see this morning, he was out there changing leads at every spot beautifully and getting over the ground well. That (bobble) was a one off. I don't know what that was about, to be honest.”
The Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and 2022 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt has won both his starts in 2023, including the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and the Grade 1 Florida Derby. A son of Violence, Forte will be ridden on Saturday by top jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. for owners Mike Repole and St. Elias Stable.
Forte underwent his regular morning gallop on Friday, and Pletcher said he was pleased with the colt's exercise.
“Seemed happy coming off the track,” Pletcher told the Courier-Journal. “Looked good. I was very happy with the way he trained today. Everything is on course at the moment.”
Read more at the Courier-Journal (behind paywall).
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