Pletcher Discusses Winter Plans
Todd Pletcher started 14 horses at Aqueduct on Saturday and won three races, including the Grade 2 Demoiselle with Stopchargingmaria. On Sunday, the trainer discussed plans for many of the horses in that group.
Pletcher said Stopchargingmaria and Demoiselle second-place finisher Got Lucky will go to Palm Meadows in Florida to prepare for their 3-year-old seasons. Lexi Morgan, fourth in the Demoiselle, will remain in New York.
In the Cigar Mile, Pletcher sent out third-place finisher Verrazano, sixth-place finisher Forty Tales, and 10th-place finisher Capo Bastone.
"I believe Capo Bastone and Forty Tales will get a break," said Pletcher. "With Verrazano I haven't had the chance to talk to anyone from [the ownership groups of Let's Go Stable and Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier, and Derrick Smith] to know what he is doing."
Heading to Florida are Intense Holiday (fourth in the Grade 2 Remsen) and Teen Pauline (third in the Grade 3 Comely). Master Lightning (fifth in the Remsen) and Galloping Giraffe (fifth in the Comely) will remain in New York, Pletcher said.
Pletcher swept the pair of maiden special weights for 2-year-olds on Saturday's card, winning with Dame Dorothy, a filly who debuted a half-length winner, and Surfing U S A, a colt who prevailed by 2 ¼ lengths in his second start.
"[Dame Dorothy] ran well, especially considering she didn't get away all that well and circled the field," said Pletcher. "I thought it was a promising effort. I thought Surfing U S A ran well, considering he recovered from a pretty significant stumble. They'll both go down to Florida as well."