Triple Crown | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pletcher Waiting For Friday Workouts Before Finalizing Plans For 3-Year-Old Trio

Trainer Todd Pletcher originally was pointing Dr Post to the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby, but said he is keeping his options open and plans on working the horse, along with promising allowance winners Money Moves and Happy Saver, at Saratoga Race Course on Friday morning.

Pletcher said he could determine the next spots for his sophomores by the weekend, with the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy on September 5 at the Spa and the $100,000 Federico Tesio on September 7 at Laurel Park among the possible spots as well. The Jim Dandy, is one of four graded stakes on the final Saturday of the Saratoga summer meet.

“They are all working tomorrow, and we'll finalize plans probably on Saturday and see who will stay here and maybe who will go to Kentucky,” Pletcher said. “The Tesio on the seventh is a possibility.”

St. Elias Stable's Dr Post was on the Triple Crown trail earlier this year, running second to Tiz the Law in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on June 20 that served as the series' first leg this year. The Quality Road colt ran third last out in the Grade 1 Haskell on July 18 at Monmouth and has earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, with his 80 points and $331,035 in non-restricted stakes earnings putting him in eighth for a race that could fill its customary field size of 20.

But the “Run for the Roses” might not be in play Dr Post, who is 2-1-1 in five career starts, including a win in the Unbridled in April at Gulfstream Park. The move leaves open the possibility of Pletcher, who has saddled more Kentucky Derby contenders than any trainer in history with 54, will not have an entrant in the race for the first time since 2003.

Money Moves and Happy Saver will both face stakes company for the first time in their next respective starts.

Owned by Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable, Money Moves won his first two starts at Gulfstream Park before running second by a neck to Prioritize going 1 1/8 miles on a fast Saratoga main track in an optional claimer on July 25. The Candy Ride colt earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for that runner-up effort.

Unraced as a juvenile, the Kentucky bred has flashed the talent that made him a $975,000 purchase at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sale.

Wertheimer and Frere's Happy Saver has followed a similar trajectory. Also unraced as a 2-year-old, the son of Super Saver has started his career 2-for-2, posting a 5 ½-length debut win on Belmont Stakes Day going seven-furlongs on Big Sandy before besting an allowance field by four lengths on July 26 at Saratoga going 1 1/8 miles.

“They've run well enough in their allowance races to show they have stakes in their future,” Pletcher said. “We'll see if they can handle the step up in class. I think all three are high quality colts and train accordingly.”

Should Pletcher choose to run any of the trio in the 57th edition of the Jim Dandy, the respective colts will once again be competing at a mile and a furlong. Dr Post is the only one of that group that has not previously raced at the Spa but has registered three works here already entering Friday.

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CHRB Will Hold Hearing To Disqualify Justify From 2018 Santa Anita Derby Victory

The California Horse Racing Board voted during closed session Aug. 20 to proceed with a complaint seeking the disqualification of Justify from his victory in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby and the redistribution of that purse based on laboratory findings that his post-race sample tested positive for scopolamine.

The CHRB will not be filing a complaint against trainer Bob Baffert, due to substantial evidence that the scopolamine resulted from environmental contamination from jimson weed.

The hearing for disqualification is a condition of a settlement agreement between the CHRB and Ruis Racing LLC, the owner of Bolt d'Oro, the horse that finished second behind Justify in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7, 2018. In that matter, the CHRB is represented by counsel from the Office of the California Attorney General.

In addition, the CHRB is seeking the disqualification of Hoppertunity, winner of the Tokyo City Cup race at Santa Anita on April 8, 2018, and the redistribution of that purse based on laboratory findings that his post-race sample for that race tested positive for scopolamine. While not the subject of current litigation, this medication positive was similar to the one involving Justify. Baffert trained both horses.

The CHRB investigative unit has filed both complaints for redistribution of the purses with the Board of Stewards at Del Mar Racetrack. CHRB Investigators have also noticed the affected parties by mail or personally if possible. The stewards have scheduled the required hearings for consideration of a disqualification and purse distribution on Sept. 20 at Santa Anita Park.

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‘It’s 2020, Anything Can Happen’: Derby Contenders Keeping A Close Eye On Mother Nature

Mother Nature may hold the key to what could be a major work day Friday at Churchill Downs.

Rain is forecast to begin overnight Thursday and continue into training hours Friday morning with more rain predicted to begin Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday morning.

Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) candidates scheduled to work are Lloyd Madison Farms' Major Fed and Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island. Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie may work.

The Brad Cox-trained duo of Juddmonte Farms' Bonny South and Qatar Racing Limited, Flurry Racing Stables and Big Aut Farms' Shedaresthedevil are scheduled for final works before next Friday's Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) along with Peter Callahan's Swiss Skydiver. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Speech may work.

Other Derby and Oaks hopefuls are slated for final works on five fronts Friday: Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante is scheduled to work at Palm Meadows, Charles Fipke's Shirl's Speight is scheduled to work at Woodbine and John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic is scheduled to work at Saratoga. Also slated to work at Saratoga are Derby possibles Dr Post, owned by St. Elias Stable, and Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Oaks probable scheduled to work Friday are Kaleem Shah, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Donna Veloce at Del Mar and Miracle's International Trading Inc.'s Dream Marie at Gulfstream Park West.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's Art Collector made his first reappearance over the Churchill Downs surface Thursday morning and galloped 1 ½ miles with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle. Trainer Tommy Drury reported Art Collector will have one more local work prior to the Kentucky Derby. Hernandez will have the call.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's $200,000 Ellis Park Derby runner-up Attachment Rate galloped 1 ½ miles under exercise rider Faustino Herrarte at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

“I thought his race at Ellis makes him deserve a shot in the Derby,” trainer Dale Romans said via phone from New York. “He'll have one more work on Sunday before the Derby. It's 2020, anything can happen.”

AUTHENTIC – Spendthrift Farm LLC, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing's $1 million Haskell (GI) winner Authentic is scheduled to arrive Monday at Churchill Downs.

CARACARO – Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) runner-up Caracaro is slated to have his final breeze prior to the Kentucky Derby Saturday morning, according to assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr.

Caracaro is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday.

DR POST – St. Elias Stable's Haskell third-place finisher Dr Post appears doubtful to run in the Derby, according to trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt could target the Jim Dandy (GI) or the $1 million Preakness (GI).

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable galloped a mile and a half shortly before 6 o'clock under exercise rider Paolo Perez for trainer Mark Casse.

“He was a little fresh this morning as this was his first day back galloping after working over the weekend,” said Allen Hardy, assistant to Casse. Enforceable had worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Sunday and is scheduled to have his final Derby work this Sunday.

FINNICK THE FIERCE – Trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez said Finnick the Fierce came out of his Wednesday work at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington in good shape and would ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

“He worked well (1:00.60 for five furlongs, the best of 11 at the distance,” said Hernandez, who owns the two-time graded stakes placed gelding in partnership with Arnaldo Monge. “He worked behind another horse.”

FIRST LINE – Noda Brothers' Saratoga maiden special weight winner First Line added his name to the possible Kentucky Derby contenders should room be available in the starting gate on the first Saturday in September.

“If they have a little room in that gate, it's an idea we are kicking around,” trainer Orlando Noda said.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's $100,000 Shared Belief runner-up Honor A. P. is scheduled to work Saturday at 12:45 p.m. PDT at Del Mar and slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday.

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo continued his training toward the Kentucky Derby Thursday at 7:30 a.m. with an easy gallop under exercise rider Edgar Medina.

King Guillermo is slated to have his final breeze for the Derby on Saturday, according to Medina.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's $300,000 Indiana Derby (GIII) runner-up Major Fed will have his final breeze prior to the Kentucky Derby Friday morning at 5:15 with jockey James Graham in the saddle.

Major Fed, a homebred son out of the former Foley-trained mare Bobby's Babe, had an easy one-mile jog Thursday with exercise rider Margarito Fierro in the saddle.

“He's happy and enjoying life right now – and so are we,” trainer Greg Foley said. “It's fun being on this ride with our owners who have stuck with us for so many years. I'm thrilled for them.”

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred's $1 million Travers Stakes (GI) third-place finisher Max Player schooled at the starting gate and galloped about 1 3/8 miles at 7:30 a.m. with exercise rider Juan Vargas in the saddle.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. will have the call in the Derby.

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's two-time winner Money Moves is scheduled to arrive Sunday at Churchill Downs for trainer Todd Pletcher. The colt still has minor Derby consideration but is nominated to the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU (GII).

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels and Wayne Scherr's Necker Island jogged twice around under Hillary Hartman at 6 o'clock.

Trained by Chris Hartman, Necker Island is scheduled to work Friday morning at 7:30 with jockey Miguel Mena slated to be aboard. Hartman said the Hard Spun colt would go a half-mile or five-eighths and would work in company.

NY TRAFFIC – John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic is scheduled to work at Saratoga Friday and arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday, according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

RUSHIE – Jim and Donna Daniell's Rushie galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Osman Cedeno after the 9 o'clock renovation break.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said Rushie may work Friday morning.

“I am thinking about it,” said McCarthy, who arrived in Louisville Wednesday night from California. “It will be a game-time decision as is often the case.”

Rushie, who would have to be supplemented to the Derby in order to run, also is under consideration for the $500,000 Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU to be run Sept. 5.

“We are still on the fence (about the Derby),” said McCarthy, who brought seven horses to Churchill Downs. “(The work) could impact the decision and I will speak with Mr. Daniell and get his thoughts.”

SHIRL'S SPEIGHT – Charles Fipke's $100,000 Marine Stakes winner Shirl's Speight's travel plans remain fluid but the colt is tentatively scheduled to van from Woodbine to Churchill Downs Sunday or Monday.

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII) runner-up Sole Volante is scheduled to van from his South Florida base to Churchill Downs Sunday, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave.

STORM THE COURT – David A Bernsen LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's 2-year-old champion Storm the Court is slated to arrive at Churchill Downs Sunday on a flight from San Diego to Louisville. He is scheduled to work Saturday at Del Mar.

Julien Leparoux has the call in the Derby.

THOUSAND WORDS – Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Shared Belief Stakes hero Thousand Words is scheduled to arrive Monday with stablemate Authentic to trainer Bob Baffert's Barn 33 at Churchill Downs.

Florent Geroux has the call in the Derby.

“Like so many of Bob Baffert's horses, he showed good speed in his last start,” Geroux said. “I think he could be up in the race but we'll discuss the plan with Bob when things get closer to the race.”

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to breeze Saturday or Sunday at Saratoga before his Monday arrival at Churchill Downs.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression galloped 1 ½ miles Thursday at 6 a.m. under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

Trainer Dallas Stewart reported Winning Impression will have his final breeze prior to the Derby Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Joe Rocco Jr. will have the mount in the Derby.

“It's starting to get exciting,” Rocco said. “You've got to be in the gate to have a chance to win. We'll see what happens.”

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Preakness Qualifier: Dean Martini, Mischevious Alex Top Nominees To Federico Tesio Stakes

Dean Martini and South Bend, the top two finishers from the Ohio Derby (G3), multiple Grade 3 winner Mischevious Alex and a quartet from seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher are among 20 horses nominated to the $100,000 Federico Tesio Monday, Sept. 7 at Laurel Park.

The 1 1/8-mile Tesio for 3-year-olds, a 'Win and In' event for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the 145th Preakness Stakes (G1) Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course, is one of nine stakes worth $900,000 in purses to be contested over Laurel's Preakness Prep Weekend that includes four stakes on Kentucky Derby (G1) Day, Saturday, Sept. 5, drawing a total of 218 nominations.

Two starts after being claimed for $50,000, Dean Martini upset the Ohio Derby at odds of 14-1, holding off late-running South Bend by three-quarters of a length. Dean Martini returned to run sixth in the Ellis Park Derby Aug. 9, while South Bend was purchased privately and finished fourth in the 1 ¼-mile Travers (G1) Aug. 8 at Saratoga.

Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex won the seven-furlong Swale (G3) at Gulfstream Park and one-mile Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct over the winter but has finished off the board in his two most recent starts, both at seven-eighths – the Woody Stephens (G1) June 20 and H. Allen Jerkens (G1) Aug. 1.

Among Pletcher's nominees are Oaklawn Stakes runner-up Farmington Road, on the Triple Crown trail earlier this year and allowance winner over the Colonial Downs turf last out July 29; Happy Saver, a son of Pletcher's 2010 Derby winner Super Saver that debuted June 20 at Belmont and is unbeaten in two starts; and Money Moves, also unraced at 2 who won suffered his first career loss in a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance July 25 at Saratoga.

Also on the special Labor Day holiday program Sept. 7 is the $100,000 Weber City Miss for 3-year-old fillies going about 1 1/16 miles, a 'Win and In' qualifier for the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) on the Preakness undercard.

A total of 27 horses were nominated to the Weber City Miss led by 2019 Spinaway (G1) winner Perfect Alibi, who finished behind likely Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite Gamine in each of her last two starts, most recently the Aug. 8 Test (G1) at Saratoga; Project Whiskey, 38-1 winner of the Delaware Oaks (G3) July 4; and Bella Aurora, winner of Laurel's seven-furlong Gin Talking last December.

Three grass stakes, which drew a total of 93 nominations, will also be run Sept. 7. Most popular among horsemen was the $100,000 All Along for fillies and mares 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles with 35 nominees including graded-stakes winners Secret Message, Theodora B. and Varenka and graded-stakes placed Beautiful Lover and Feel Glorious.

Pewter Stable's Dubini is nominated to defend his title in the $100,000 Laurel Dash for 3-year-olds and up sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the turf and is joined by fellow stakes winners Introduced, Just Might, Regally Irish, Shekky Shebaz, Smooth B, Texas Wedge and Wet Your Whistle along with the 10-year-olds Oak Bluffs, a 21-time career winner trained by Mary Eppler, and 2013 Mr. Prospector (G3) winner Singanothersong.

The $100,000 Henry S. Clark at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up drew 32 nominees, among them Isabelle Haskell de Tomaso's defending champion Irish Strait; graded-stakes winners Doctor Mounty, Golden Brown, Monongahela and Olympico; and veterans John Jones and O Dionysus, stakes winners on both turf and dirt.

John Jones and Monongahela are also nominated to the $100,000 Deputed Testamony, a 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds and up on the main track that returns to stakes calendar Sept. 5 for the first time since 2008. Other nominees include multiple stakes winners Cordmaker and Someday Jones, Grade 3 winner Name Changer and impressive recent Laurel allowance winner Top Line Growth.

Grade 3 winners Bellera, Golden Award and Horologist and stakes winners Another Broad, Artful Splatter, Gotham Gala, Meadow Dance and Tasting the Stars are among nominees to the Deputed Testamony's female counterpart, the $100,000 Twixt, won in 2019 by retired 2019 Barbara Fritchie (G3) winner Late Night Pow Wow.

The Sept. 5 stakes are rounded out by a pair of six-furlong dirt sprints, the $100,000 Polynesian for 3-year-olds and up led by stakes-winning stablemates Laki and Taco Supream, and $100,000 Alma North for fillies and mares 3 and older, topped by 12-time stakes winner Anna's Bandit and fellow multiple stakes winner Hello Beautiful.

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