Medolina Seeks Better Trip in Lake Placid

Wertheimer and Frere’s Medolina suffered the first defeat of her career in last month’s Grade 2 Lake George, but even though she finished fifth, she was beaten only by about two lengths, in a race in which more half than the field had troubled running lines. On Sunday at Saratoga Race Course, she’ll try to turn the tables against much of the same company in the Grade 2 Woodford Reserve Lake Placid.

“Her trip was decent in some respects,” Pletcher said of the Lake George. “but I think she was sort of stuck in an unusual spot, where there was one kind of runaway speed horse [Elusive Rumour], and she was sort of lost in the middle of that and the ones behind her.

“I think the Lake Placid is interesting in that she might find herself on the lead, which could be an interesting way for her to run.”

Medolina, a 3-year-old filly by Aragorn, won her first two starts by coming from off the pace; in her third victory, she stalked closer to the leader.

Despite the loss in the Lake George, Pletcher was reasonably pleased with his filly’s performance.

“She ran well, she wasn’t beaten far, and we’ll just try again,” he said.

Pletcher is set to send out another talented filly next Friday, as multiple Grade 1 winner Turbulent Descent is on track to make her first start for the trainer in the Grade 1 Ballerina.

Winner of the Grade 1 Test here last year when trained by Mike Puype, Turbulent Descent was sold to Mrs. John Magnier and transferred to Pletcher after her lone start this year, a win in the Desert Stormer Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park in June.

“We wanted to focus on the Ballerina because seven-eighths seems to be her optimal distance, and she seems to run well fresh. It’s the plan we laid out, and, knock on wood, it’s gone well so far. She’s scheduled to work tomorrow.”