L’Imperator, En Wye Cee Rematch in Baruch

It's not unusual to see the Saratoga meeting's top two trainer knock heads in graded competition and such is again the case in Monday's GII Bernard Baruch H. Representing 'Team Pletcher' is En Wye Cee (Declaration of War), a winner going nine furlongs in a rained-off optional claimer at this meet in 2020, but winless in two starts since. After rounding out last season with a third behind the Chad Brown-trained pair of Devamani (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Olympico (Fr) (Rajsaman {Fr}), the full-brother to GSW Silentio lacked racing room in early stretch in his latest start in a nine-furlong optional claimer here Aug. 4 and had to settle for third behind the re-opposing L'Imperator (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).

“He had a tough trip last out, but he's come back well,” Pletcher said. “He had a tough trip in his comeback race but ran well, hopefully he moves forward from having a start.”

Waving the flag for 'Team Brown', L'Imperator annexed a trio of starts in France before resurfacing in the U.S. with Brown for last summer's one-mile GIII Saranac S. Seventh that day, the gelding bounced back to win his latest with Irad Ortiz Jr. Debuting in the irons. The two reunite in this second start of the year.

“He's come back really well. He's a totally different horse and I've been very pleased with him,” said Brown. “It's a little bit of a cutback in distance, that would be the only concern. But we're giving it a shot. I was impressed and he exceed my expectations in his allowance win. Gelding him and giving him the time off have really gotten him over some of his soreness and such. He certainly did a 180.”

The post L’Imperator, En Wye Cee Rematch in Baruch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Vanzzy Tops Saranac Field

Three-time stakes winner Vanzzy (Verrazano) looks to take his game to the next level Saturday in Saratoga’s GIII Saranac S. Capturing the Display S. last term, the bay won this year’s Rushaway S. in March on the Turfway synthetic and was fourth next out when trying grass for the first time in Belmont’s GII Pennine Ridge S. June 20. Third in the GIII Kent S. on the Delaware lawn July 4, he scored a decisive victory in the Jersey Derby last time at Monmouth July 26.

“His last race was his best, and he’s just getting better,” trainer Michael Pino said. “I think he fits, his last race was good he tucked in saved some ground and pushed away that’s a better trip. It looked like he had a good finish. Where he sits early on depends on how the race goes. He can do either, but I would rather sit a little off it.”

Chad Brown can never be overlooked in a grass stakes and he sends out French import L’Imperator (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The bay won three of his four starts overseas for his previous connections and was privately purchased by Madaket Stables, Robert LaPenta and Wonder Stables and sent to Brown. L’Imperator receives Lasix for the first time in this event.

Don Juan Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) seeks his first black-type victory Saturday. Missing by a neck in a June 7 allowance at Belmont, the gray scored a decisive win in a one-mile test at the Spa July 25.

The post Vanzzy Tops Saranac Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights