Barn Tour: Pletcher updates on 8 Kentucky Derby prospects

Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, coming off his sweep of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup and the $1 million Pegasus Turf, appears to have a strong lineup as the Kentucky Derby prep season begins to heat up. But he warns against judging his or any other trainer’s horses too soon.

“I’ve often said the worst thing you can have is a hot hand in January and February,” he said.

It used to be that Derby prospects were expected to build solid foundations as juveniles and then compete in no fewer than three prep races before they could be viewed as legitimate threats on the first Saturday in May. Not anymore.

Pletcher has sophomores with one career start that he could envision providing him with his third Derby triumph, following Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017).

“I think you’ve seen that trend in Triple Crown races in the last l0 years or so, where horses are debuting a little later and making fewer starts.”

During a visit to Palm Beach Downs Training Center, he took Horse Racing Nation on a Barn Tour that focused on his Derby prospects:

Commandperformance. A 0-for-3 Juvenile record does not begin to reflect the quality of this son of 2012 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags. He placed second in the Champagne (G1) and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Although Pletcher acknowledged that Commandperformance is a bit behind schedule – he did not arrive in South Florida until approximately two weeks ago – he likes what he sees so far during morning gallops. He also thinks Commandperformance can be significantly better than the Juvenile suggests. “He’s a horse that is better in a race with a real honest pace. It didn’t really unfold the way we had hoped,” Pletcher said. “In retrospect, we took him a bit out of his style knowing that he needed to lay a little closer there. I think he wants to settle and make one run.” No target has been set for his 3-year-old debut.

Dean's List. Although Pletcher thinks Dean’s List might have distance limitations, the progeny of crack sprinter Speightstown will get a shot at the March 5 Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. If he fares well, the Wood Memorial (G2) would merit consideration.

Double Thunder. This gray Super Saver colt took second in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland before running a disappointing eighth in the Juvenile. He made six starts at 2 and continues to be given a freshening in Ocala. Pletcher all but ruled him out as a Derby candidate.

Emmanuel. Sired by More Than Ready, Emmanuel made a head-turning debut going a mile on dirt Dec. 11 at Gulfstream Park. He blitzed his competition by 6 3/4 lengths under a hand ride from Luis Saez. Pletcher: “A win like that, debuting in a one-turn mile and drawing the rail and being pressured the whole way, I was impressed.” Look for him to run in allowance company next and then, if all goes well, one of the major preps in an all-or-nothing bid to qualify for the Derby.

Major General. There is much to like about 2-for-2 Major General, who closed his brief juvenile campaign with a victory in the Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. A win over the Derby surface is always a significant plus. According to Pletcher, the youngster is training well, with four works at Palm Beach Downs since Jan. 7. He is considered on course for a probable start in the March 5 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream.

Mo Donegal. This Uncle Mo colt, purchased by Donegal Racing for $250,000 at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale, looms as a prime contender in the Saturday's Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream. The April 19 foal welcomed added distance in winning the Dec. 4 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. He first appeared on the Palm Beach Downs work tab on Dec. 24 and has not missed a beat. Pletcher describes him as a “major player” on the Road to the Derby while emphasizing how much he has matured physically and how well he is training.

My Prankster. Pletcher has concluded that this Into Mischief colt does not fit the profile of a two-turn horse. He plans to limit him to between six furlongs and no more than a mile.

Wit. Pletcher emphasized that Wit, by Practical Joke, is not injured but remains in Ocala for more freshening. Although Wit showed considerable promise when he ran second in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga and third in the Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park, the $575,000 yearling is not considered a candidate for any of the spring classics. Pletcher: “Our first major target would be the (seven-furlong) Woody Stephens (G1) on Belmont Stakes day and, hopefully, a prep before that.”