Wertheimer and Frere's unbeaten Happy Saver (Super Saver), last seen winning the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup last October, will make his 4-year-old debut in an allowance at Belmont Park Friday.
“I'm happy to get his season under way,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “Hopefully, we've done enough with him to have him ready, but I'm looking forward to getting him going.”
Following some down time at WinStar Farm, Happy Saver began working regularly at Palm Beach Downs in early April before shipping to Pletcher's division in Saratoga. His most recent breeze was a five-furlong work in 1:01.70 (3/13) May 21 over the Saratoga main track.
Happy Saver will put his four-for-four record on the line in the third race–a one-mile optional claiming event–at Belmont Friday. The field also includes stakes-placed Three Technique (Mr Speaker) and recent allowance winner Locally Owned (Distorted Humor).
Pletcher has added Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' multiple Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) to his stable. The 2018 GI Hopeful S. and 2019 GI H. Allen Jerkens S. winner, previously trained by Greg Sacco, is being pointed towards the July 4 GII John A Nerud S. at Belmont Park.
Mind Control, who opened 2021 with a runner-up effort in the Apr. 3 GI Carter H., was seventh last time out in the May 1 GI Churchill Downs S. He worked a half-mile in :48.30 (11/91) Saturday on the Belmont dirt training track.
“The John Nerud is what we're targeting at the moment,” Pletcher said. “He came to me in great shape and he's a very straightforward and good-training horse. He looks good.”
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