Dr Post | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pletcher’s Dr Post Tunes Up for Derby

Dr Post (Quality Road), who placed in both the GI Belmont S. and the GI TVG.com Haskell S. this summer, signaled his readiness for the GI Kentucky Derby Sept. 5 with a five-furlong move in 1:00.75 at Saratoga Friday. With temperatures in the mid-60s after the renovation break, Dr Post worked in company with Money Moves (Candy Ride {Arg}) over the fast main track for trainer Todd Pletcher.

“It was a good work for him today,” said Pletcher of the colorbearer for Vincent Viola’s St. Elias Stable. “He galloped out well and I was very happy with what I saw out of him.”

Pletcher, who previously won the Derby in 2010 and 2017 with Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) and Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), respectively, said this would be the penultimate work prior to the Derby for Dr Post. The sophomore, who won the Apr. 25 Unbridled S. at Gulfstream Park, is scheduled to work again next Friday, Aug. 28, at the Spa before shipping to Kentucky.

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Pletcher ‘Very Happy’ With Dr Post’s Friday Work At Saratoga

Grade 1 Belmont Stakes runner-up Dr Post resumed serious preparations for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on Friday morning at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Under mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, the 3-year-old son of Quality Road went to the track following the renovation break, and completed his five-eighths work in company with stablemate Money Moves in 1:00.75 over a fast main track.

“It was a good work for him today. He galloped out well and I was very happy with what I saw out of him,” said Pletcher, who won the Kentucky Derby with Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017).

Pletcher said that Dr Post would work once more next Friday, August 28 over the Saratoga main track before shipping to Churchill Downs.

Owned by Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable, Dr Post will arrive at the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 16 at Monmouth Park after running second to likely Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law in the Belmont Stakes. His lone stakes victory to date took place in the Unbridled on April 26 at Gulfstream Park, where he was a 1 ½-length winner.

Pletcher holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby contestants, having saddled 54 contenders dating back to 2000, where he sent out Impeachment (third), More Than Ready (fourth) and Trippi (11th). He has finished second twice and third on four occasions, and his total number of starts is five more than the next-closest competitor in Hall of Famer and Pletcher mentor D. Wayne Lukas, who has sent out 49 starters.

Also on Friday, Pletcher sent out Robert and Lawana Low's Sweet Melania for a breeze over the Oklahoma training turf course, where she completed a half-mile move in 48.72 seconds in preparation for an attempt at a third graded stakes win in the Grade 3, $100,000 Lake George on Friday, August 28.

The daughter of 2015 Triple Crown winner and second crop sire American Pharoah was an easy gate-to-wire winner of the last out Grade 3 Wonder Again over the Widener turf at Belmont Park. As a 2-year-old, she won the Grade 2 Jessamine at Keeneland en route to a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita.

“She worked well and finished up nicely,” Pletcher said.

Bred in Kentucky by St Elias Stables, Sweet Melania is out of the Discreet Cat mare Sweet N Discreet and is a direct descendant of prolific broodmare Lassie Dear. She was bought for $600,000 from the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she was consigned by Gainesway.

The post Pletcher ‘Very Happy’ With Dr Post’s Friday Work At Saratoga appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Authentic Just Lasts In Desperate Haskell Finish; Baffert Wins For Ninth Time

Trainer Bob Baffert won for a record ninth time, but Authentic's victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $1-million TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., wasn't as easy as his 3-5 odds might have suggested.

Breaking quickly from the No. 2 post under Mike Smith, the 3-year-old colt by Into Mischief controlled the pace throughout the 1 1/8 miles, opened up what appeared to be an insurmountable lead inside the eighth pole, then barely lasted as Ny Traffic came charging in the final desperate strides. Dr Post, the second wagering choice at 9-5, was never a factor and finished a distant third. Jesus' Team was fourth in the field of seven.

Time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:50.45.

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Brisnet.com Triple Crown Throwdown: Haskell

Ed DeRosa of Brisnet.com takes on TDN’s Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap Triple Crown prep races plus the big three races themselves. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets in the preps and $200 Win/Place bets in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Highest bankroll at the end wins.

DeRosa – Peter Pan Result – Country Grammer got the money in game fashion. Bankroll: $4960.

GI Haskell S. – Going to take a chance here with Jesus’ Team, who is right in the mix with all other contenders based on most recent form and maybe can find improvement going 1 1/8 miles first time. I love what his sire Tapiture has done from limited opportunities and at the price point, and maybe Jesus’ Team can be that sire’s breakout horse. Authentic took a step back last out and Dr. Post likely underlaid as the obvious alternative to favorite. Selection: #3 Jesus’ Team (15-1).

Sherack – Peter Pan Result – Mystic Guide could do no better than third as the chalk. Bankroll: $3135.

GI Haskell S. – I really need a bomb to get back in this thing, but this isn’t the race for it. Even with all the speed signed on, Authentic should still be awfully tough to beat for Mr. Haskell, Bob Baffert. Selection: #2 Authentic (4-5).

DiDonato – Peter Pan Result – Country Grammer (+$750) needed a busy ride, but he saved all the ground and fought on nicely to get the job done. Bankroll: $5125.

GI Haskell S. – I’ve been high on Dr Post for a while, and picked him in the Belmont. He took another step forward that day to be second, and catches an easier group this time while likely to get a huge pace set-up. There’s tons of other speed signed on here, which figures to compromise favorite Authentic’s chances as much as it’s going to help Dr Post. Barring some scratches, bad breaks or odd tactics, Dr Post will win this race. Selection: #1 Dr Post (5-2).

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