While life may provide only a handful of certainties, trainer Todd Pletcher showing up with a powerful battalion of runners on Breeders' Cup Day can be counted on to be one of them. The 2022 renewal of the World Championships, slated for Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland, is shaping up to be no different. Since the beginning of the month, the Hall of Famer has annexed seven Grade I or Grade II races, highlighted by Life Is Good (Into Mischief), winner of the Oct. 1 GI Woodward S. Undefeated in four domestic starts this season (he finished fourth in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March), the sparkling winner of the 2021 Dirt Mile was confirmed by Pletcher for a likely showdown with Flightline (Tapit) in next month's GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Also trying to give Pletcher his second Classic winner following Vino Rosso in 2019 is Happy Saver (Super Saver), who finished fourth in a competitive renewal of the GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs Oct. 1. Last season's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner hit the board in a trio of preceding starts in 2022, including a second to Flightline in the June 11 GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. and runner-up finish behind Life Is Good in the Aug. 6 GI Whitney S.
Also offering an imposing 1-2 punch on the Breeders' Cup Saturday card are Malathaat (Curlin) and Nest (Curlin), both targeting the GI Distaff. Victorious in last season's GI Kentucky Oaks, Central Bank Ashland S. and GI Alabama S., the Shadwell runner took last Sunday's GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, while her year-younger stablemate–victorious in this summer's Alabama and GI CCA Oaks, and runner-up in the GI Belmont S.–romped in the recent GII Beldame S. in New York.
Pletcher previously won the Distaff with eventual Hall of Famer Ashado (2004) and Stopchargingmaria in 2015.
Always dangerous with his juveniles, Pletcher will be represented by no less than a trio of 2-year-olds, including GI Hopefull S. and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity victor Forte (Violence), targeting the GI TVG Juvenile, and GI Frizette S. heroine Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke), slated to contest the GI NetJets Juvenile Fillies. Also set to reappear over the championship weekend is Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), who punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with a victory in the Oct. 2 GII Pilgrim S.
Rounding out Team Pletcher's championship team is Annapolis (War Front). Victorious in the Manila S. at Belmont earlier this summer, the son of My Miss Sophia subsequently added a win in the Saranac S. at Saratoga before earning a Mile berth with a score in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. at Keeneland Oct. 8.
Already responsible for a dozen Breeders' Cup victories since earning his first win in 2004, Pletcher has finished third or better with 43 runners–registering a 28% in-the-money strike rate–while amassing $22.5 million in earnings.
Given the caliber of runners already engaged for this year's showcase next month, it appears likely that those figures will continue their upward trajectory.
Nest tuned up for her engagement in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland next month with an effortless victory in the GII Beldame S. at Aqueduct Sunday. Making her first start against her elders, the 1-9 favorite broke well from her inside post and was on the lead in the early strides before allowing Travel Column (Frosted) to take over heading into the first turn. Nest settled into third as Travel Column set the tempo with First to Act tracking in second as the quarter went up in :24.52 and the three fillies lined up across the track after a half in :49.01. Three wide on the far turn, Nest floated wider into the lane, but once straightened she produced an emphatic burst of speed to power clear to an 9 3/4-length victory.
“I was a passenger,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. “She's doing so good right now. I broke good. Before, she used to break a step slow. Now, the last couple of times she's been breaking good out of there and that's a big advantage because I don't have to use that much. She put herself in the race and I just waited for my time to go. In the turn, I stayed away from the other horses because I was already going by them a little early, but I don't get in her way. I stayed away a little bit just to keep her there and let her do her thing.”
Winner of the GI Ashland S. in April, Nest was second in the GI Kentucky Oaks and against the boys in the GI Belmont S. She staked her claim to the top of the 3-year-old fillies division this summer at Saratoga with wins in the July 23 GI Coaching Club American Oaks and Aug. 20 GI Alabama S.
“She's going to race at four,” said co-owner Mike Repole. “She's so special. She's by Curlin and she's getting better. Those were three 'wow' performances we just saw out of her and she's improving every start. It's great for racing. She's a special filly.”
Repole will hold a strong hand at the Breeders' Cup, with Nest joined by GI Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) and GI Hopeful S. and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Forte (Violence).
“Nest will probably be a top two or three favorite [in the Distaff],” he said. “Chocolate Gelato will be first or second choice [in the Juvenile Fillies], Forte will probably be first or second choice [in the Juvenile]. It's been an incredible blessing this year. Seven Grade Is and horses like this have made this year incredible.”
Pedigree Notes:
Marion Ravenwood, the dam of last year's GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin), has also been represented this year by Sapling S. winner Lost Ark (Violence). The 14-year-old mare, a half-sister to graded placed Abstraction, was barren in 2021 and 2022 and was bred to Curlin this spring. She was purchased by co-breeder Ashview Farm for $400,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale.
Sunday, Belmont The Big A BELDAME S.-GII, $242,500, Belmont The Big A, 10-9, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:52.38, ft.
1–NEST, 120, f, 3, by Curlin 1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy 2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American 3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($350,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Repole Stable, Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm &
Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.
$137,500. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 10-7-2-1, $1,873,050.
*1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile), MSP, $156,155;
Lost Ark (Violence), SW, $177,000; Full to Idol, GISW,
$426,964. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–First to Act, 123, f, 4, Curlin–First Passage, by
Giant's Causeway. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Andrew
Rosen; B-AR Enterprises, LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.
$50,000.
3–Hybrid Eclipse, 123, f, 4, Paynter–Super Plan, by Valid Wager. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($37,000 2yo '20 EASMAY;
$107,000 4yo '22 FTKHRA). O-The Elkstone Group, LLC
(Stuart Grant); B-Alex Venneri Racing, LLC (KY); T-Brittany T.
Russell. $30,000.
Margins: 9 3/4, 5HF, 4 1/4. Odds: 0.05, 9.50, 48.25.
Also Ran: Travel Column, The Grass Is Blue. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
With two graded events for distaffers and four for juveniles, including including four Breeders' Cup qualifiers, Sunday is basically Saturday part two from coast-to-coast.
The day's main event is the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland, A “Win and You're In” event, where champions Malathaat (Curlin) and Letruska (Super Saver) face off yet again. Malathaat looks to make amends for a solid third in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and she enters off a win in Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 27.
Letruska, who won last year's Juddmonte, finished third in that prestigious Saratoga event and was off the board in her prior start in the GI Ogden Phipps S. Tyler Gaffalione takes over the controls for the first time from the Ortiz brothers, who both stayed home to ride in New York.
The other four members of this six-horse field will be likely be running for third and that group is topped by GIII Locust Grove S. winner Played Hard (Into Mischief).
Distaffers take center stage at Belmont as well with 3-year-old filly leader Nest (Curlin) taking on her elders for the first time in the GII Beldame S. at Aqueduct. Heavily favored against four severely overmatched competitors, the bay should be able to secure a very easy victory here ahead of a likely next start in the Breeders' Cup. Runner-up in the GI Belmont S., Nest romped by 12 1/4 lengths in the GI CCA Oaks at Saratoga July 23 and dominated that venue's GI Alabama S. next out Aug. 20.
“She's run well against the boys and all the best fillies of her generation, but first time against elders is always a challenge,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “She showed a lot of talent and class in her races against 3-year-olds and we would expect her to handle the step up.”
MGSW Travel Column (Frosted) stretches back out after a failed effort in the GI Ballerina H. Aug. 28 and First to Act (Curlin) enters off a good second in the Summer Colony S. Aug. 19.
Juveniles Compete for Breeders' Cup Berth
Aqueduct hosts a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Sunday in the GIII Futurity S. Several competitors enter off strong maiden wins, including Nagirroc (Lea), who graduated over this course and distance Sept. 24 in his first start for Graham Motion.
“He's been pretty classy in the morning since I've got him,” said Motion. “I haven't had him for that long and I was impressed with what he had done, but I certainly would not have expected him to run the way he did. I thought it was a very good effort. He won very comfortably.”
Inflation Nation (Ire) (Speightstown) missed by a head on debut at Saratoga, but got it done next out there Sept. 1 for Christophe Clement.
Mike Maker sends out Gaslight Dancer (City of Light), who did no running on dirt in his Churchill unveiling in August, but graduated by five lengths when switched to turf at Kentucky Downs Sept. 3.
Determined Jester (Practical Joke) takes on the boys in this event after breaking her maiden in Colonial's Rosies S. in her third career start Sept. 6.
Meanwhile at Keeneland, 2-year-old turf routers get their chance to earn a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf starting gate in the GII Castle and Key Bourbon S. GIII With Anticipation S. winner Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) leads this large and competitive field. He has already proven this distance is right up his alley.
Steve Asmussen has a live on here in Gigante (Not This Time), who ran away to a 6 3/4-length score over Rarified Air (Honor Code) in the Kitten's Joy S. going 1 1/16 miles at that venue Sept. 6.
Kentucky Downs Juvenile S. winner Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) makes his first start for Brendan Walsh here after a quartet of races for Joseph O'Brien. Third-place Really Good (Hard Spun) adds blinkers this time.
Keeneland also plays host to a qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in the Indian Summer S. Wesley Ward sends out the favorite there in the filly Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag). The 'TDN Rising Star' captured Saratoga's Bolton Landing S. last out Aug. 21.
While they may not be “Win and You're Ins,” Santa Anita also hosts a pair of juvenile turf events in the GIII Surfer Girl S. and GIII Zuma Beach S., which will likely contain potential Breeders' Cup competitors.
The fillies are up first in the Surfer Girl, which is being run at graded status for the first time this year. European import Comanche Country (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) is two-for-two since coming to America, most recently taking the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S. Sept. 10. Sell the Dream (Munnings) and Excelia (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) were second and third in that event.
Packs a Wahlop (Creative Cause) tops the Zuma Beach after a decisive score in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf S. and is two-for-two on grass. Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was fourth in that event and is still a maiden. Also of interest here is undefeated Cal-bred Giver Not a Taker (Danzing Candy), who took the state-bred I'm Smokin S. last out Sept. 9 at Del Mar.
Todd Pletcher was in a chipper mood one morning in his office near Saratoga's Oklahoma training track when I asked him about the Green sisters.
“Which one?” Pletcher replied, wryly.
“The one right outside the door.”
“Oh, the brown-noser,” Pletcher said with a laugh. “Do you want to listen in, Sophie?”
“No,” said the mocking English voice from the other side of the glass door. “I will never say anything nice about you again!”
Meet Sophie Green, the elder of the Green sisters, the younger being Amelia. The two sisters make up an enviable team, with Sophie opting to mainly keep her feet either on the ground or astride the barn pony, Bucky, and helping with runners and medication; Amelia riding some of horse racing's elite. Both put in full days under the Pletcher shedrow.
I had interviewed Sophie for this story several days before and was struck by her answer to my question: “What's the best part of working here for Todd?”
“Todd,” she replied without hesitation. “I have worked in restaurants and it's very much just about the job and making money, whereas here, he knows every horse, he cares about every horse, he knows every person that works for him. So, he is the best boss that I have ever had!”
This seems to be the sentiment of most everybody who has ever worked at the Pletcher barn, a long list of people going back decades, most of whom never leave. Ginny DePasquale has been there from day one. There's Tristan Barry, Byron Hughes, Anthony Sciametta, Juan Aguayo. Former assistants include trainers Michael McCarthy, Jonathan Thomas, George Weaver, Michael Dilger, and Michelle Nihei.
Dawn till dusk, when most exercise and pony riders are napping in the middle of the day–or perhaps downing a couple of cocktails at the all-too-many watering holes in Saratoga–the sisters Green are keeping a watchful eye on the Todd Squad.
Sophie and Amelia Green grew up in Thoroton, just east of Nottingham, England. “A place in the middle of nowhere, that nobody has heard of,” joked Sophie during that overcast morning.
The Green sisters followed the usual protocol for horse-mad girls growing up in rural England: school, ponies, and Pony Club.
“Grandad took us to the tack shop and bought us helmets and after that it was all over,” added Sophie, with one eye on Jack, her Jack Russell.
Both sisters finished school with Sophie opting to go to sixth form college for two years, working part-time in a local pub to pay her way and eventually becoming the manger. Amelia opted instead to follow the horses in Newmarket, first at the British Racing School and then apprenticing for the late Sir Henry Cecil.
Looking to broaden her horizons, Amelia wintered one year at Santa Anita Park. “I loved it,” said Amelia (hardly a surprise–who wouldn't want to trade the frozen tundra of Newmarket heath for palm trees and sunshine in the dead of winter?).
Unfortunately, after Amelia returned home to England, Cecil lost his battle with cancer that June.
“I worked for Lady Jane [Cecil] for a couple of months and then got my visa and went straight back to California to work for George Papaprodromou.
“George was a good boss; George was the best,” said Amelia with a smile, suddenly coming to life recanting tales of her old boss and likening him to a “best friend.”
Papaprodromou even legged her up onto one of his horses, with Amelia winning her first race aboard a horse called Twin Six (Include) in December of 2013 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
“It was surreal, I rode on and off for a couple of years whilst galloping for George,” Amelia said. “I did commit and go to Maryland for three months and that was when, ultimately, I realized I wasn't going to make weight, especially bug weight at 112 pounds. That was not the life I wanted to live.”
Amelia Green compiled a 9-148 record per Equibase.
“I came back to California; George insisted I get my assistant's license. I did that for a couple of years and then just plateaued. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to continue or go back to England. So, I spoke to Michael McCarthy and he said, 'Would you go work for Todd Pletcher on the East Coast?' And I was like, 'Sure, but isn't it hard to get a job there?' I called Todd the next day and he was like, 'Yeah, when do you want to start?'”
“It was obvious right from the start she was a star, an excellent rider, but also very interested in learning more on the ground and a very complete horseperson with ambition who just enjoys it,” said Pletcher.
Americanrevolution is one of Amelia Green's regular morning partners | Sarah Andrew
If you are looking for Life Is Good (Into Mischief), you had better be early as Amelia is the first to the track with him every day. Twenty years ago, Life Is Good would likely have been ridden by a man with his head cranked and bowed over as he is a very tough horse to gallop. But Green has gone for the finesse option and, while he's still not easy, he's a whole lot better than he was.
“He's a special horse, but he's not a cupcake to gallop,” said a now-wry-smiling Pletcher. “So, we have really focused a lot on trying to ration his talent and his speed. She gets along with him very well and has been a huge part of his success.”
Amelia has been around a lot of good horses in her five-year tenure at the Pletcher barn. There is Nest (Curlin) (Amelia is careful to remind me she is just borrowed from another rider, Nora, who didn't make the trip to Saratoga), Americanrevolution (Constitution), Mind Control (Stay Thirsty), Corniche (Quality Road)–whose retirement was just announced–and some unraced 2-year-olds that have not been tested yet.
None, however, as talented as Life Is Good, who now carries the nickname “Scooter.” According to Amelia, “When he first got here, he would just scoot off, but he's so much better now. Did you see him without the draw reins? This time last year there is no way I could have ridden him without them.”
“Is he your all-time favorite horse?” I enquired, already knowing the answer as “Scooter” was burrowing in Amelia's pocket for another peppermint. “Yes, he's the one,” she said.
Interestingly, Amelia admits she wouldn't normally get to ride the colts in England.
“I think it's a very old school thing, the girls are smaller in England and usually ride the fillies. I honestly think I had ridden maybe one or two colts before I arrived in America.”
Enter Winnie, Amelia's dog, who is part Great Dane and who at this moment is chasing Jack (Sophie's dog) down the shedrow past the likes of Mind Control, Capensis (Tapit), Malathaat (Curlin), Dynamic One (Union Rags), Happy Saver (Super Saver), and Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke), none of which could care less as the feed cart has just arrived, much to the delight of Life Is Good, who is doing his best “Hungry Hippo” impersonation.
Sophie, who much like her sister plateaued working as a manager in a restaurant and was at a crossroads in life when Amelia suggested almost three years ago that she come over and work for Pletcher.
“We really didn't get on that well as kids,” said Sophie, older by just two years.
“So, who's the boss?”
“I am,” jumped in Amelia.
“And she's also the favorite child,” jabbed back a smiling Sophie. “It's OK. I'm used to it!”
Do they often get confused for each other?
“Well, actually,” interjected Sophie, “I get 'Amelia's sister,' not even Sophie. I think a few people have seen me around now so they know we are different but it's still 'Amelia's sister.'”
Is Sophie envious of her speed-queen sister?
“Oh God, no,” said Sophie, almost a little too quickly. “All our lives Amelia was the one who wanted to go fast. I'm quite content going slow. Even skiing she was always the first one down. I'm quite content riding the pony.”
Pletcher echoes the sentiment. “No, I think she's comfortable in her role. She's done a great job with our pony, Bucky, who had special needs when we first got him,” he said. “She's done a great job with some of our flighty fillies as well.”
