Neolithic using optional claiming race as stepping stone to Woodward

Saturday's stakes-laden Whitney Day card will close out with a competitive $90,000 allowance optional claiming race, marking the return of Qatar Racing and Starlight Racing's Neolithic, who is looking to use the race as a stepping stone to the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward on September 2.

The start will be the first for the 4-year-old Harlan's Holiday colt since finishing third behind Arrogate and Gun Runner in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup in March.

"We got to get him a good freshening at WinStar following the Dubai World Cup and we felt like this would be a good place to get him back and started," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "Hopefully, we can build on that for the Woodward."

Prior to the Dubai World Cup, Neolithic used a front-running allowance score in December as a prep for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational, where he faced Arrogate for the first time, finishing third to the reigning Eclipse Award winner in his seasonal bow.

Neolithic has been installed as the even-money favorite in the 10-horse race that also attracted 2016 Grade 2 Remsen winner Mo Town, making his first start since the Grade 2 Wood Memorial this spring, as well as graded stakes-placed runners Realm, Warrior's Club, and Schivarelli.

"We aren't doing it because we are looking for an easy spot," Pletcher said. "We are doing it because he has run decently at seven furlongs before and we felt like we needed a race to get to the Woodward and we didn't feel like we quite had him ready for a mile and an eighth in the Whitney or the Alydar."

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Rally Cry, also for Pletcher this weekend, will try out two turns for the first time since the 2016 Grade 3 Gotham as the 8-5 favorite in a field of six in Sunday's $100,000 Alydar at 1 1/8 miles.

In the Gotham, his only start around two turns, Rally Cry broke slowly and then rushed into early contention to eventually finish sixth of seven. The 4-year-old colt by Uncle Mo has gone on to post a pair of allowance victories at 1 1/16 miles around one turn at Belmont Park, including a 1 ½-length victory two starts back, where he earned a career-high 105 Beyer Speed Figure. 

Last time out, Rally Cry finished sixth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day, beaten 15 ½ lengths by Mor Spirit.

"I think two turns is what he's been wanting to do," Pletcher said. "Unfortunately, the Gotham was the only time we got to try it and he didn't get off to a great start. We believe based on the way that he's been training that this is what he wants to do, so we are getting ready to make him prove it."

Pletcher will also saddle Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Red Rifle in the Alydar, where his entries will face G M B Racing's multiple stakes winner Mo Tom for trainer Tom Amoss. DARRS Inc.'s graded stakes-placed Conquest Windycity is entered for the Brendan Walsh barn. The Alydar also features a pair of cross-entries: Shadwell Stable's multiple Grade 2 winner Mohaymen, who is entered as a main track-only entrant for the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure on Saturday for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin; and Reade Baker trainee Breaking Lucky, who is also entered in Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney.

Source: NYRA Communications