Pletcher Saddles Three Runners in Gander
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Saturday's inaugural running of the $100,000 Gander for 3-year-old New York-breds at one mile and 70 yards at Aqueduct Racetrack features a talented field of six each looking to establish a path to stardom.
Trainer Todd Pletcher will saddle three runners in Cards of Stone, Inside Straight, and Sudden Surprise. A son of Bustin Stones, Cards of Stone will make his first start for the Pletcher barn and third of his career following an impressive 3 ½-length win on December 6 at Aqueduct and most recently a second-place finish to stable mate Inside Straight after being caught in the stretch in an optional-claimer at the Big A over a sloppy track on January 10. 6-1 on the morning-line, Cards of Stone will depart from post-position 3 with Kendrick Carmouche aboard.
A son of Super Saver, Inside Straight, for owner Winstar Farm, is the most experienced runner from the field with eighth career starts including two victories. Looking to improve off his optional-claiming win on January 10 where he recorded a career high Beyer Speed figure of 86, he will leave from post 4 with Cornelio Velasquez aboard for the first time at odds of 6-1 on the morning-line.
Rounding out the Pletcher trio is Sudden Surprise for Repole Stable. A son from the first crop of sire Giant Surprise, Sudden Surprise will stretch out to two-turns for the first time following consecutive stakes wins going six furlongs at Aqueduct on December 27 in the New York-bred Stallion Series and Notebook on November 21. Listed at odds of 3-1 on the morning-line, Sudden Surprise will be ridden by Jose Ortiz and leave from post 5.
Vincento, for trainer Rudy Rodriguez and owner Vincent Scuderi enters the Gander following a 3 ½ length optional-claiming victory at Aqueduct on January 31 in which he added blinkers for the first time while picking up a career and field high Beyer Speed Figure of 90. Previous to that race, Vincento encountered a difficult trip racing six-wide to finish sixth third to fellow entrant Taoiseach in his first start facing winners in an optional-claimer at the Big A on December 11.
The 2-1 morning-line favorite, Vincento will be ridden by John Bisono from post 2.
Trainer Christophe Clement will enter Governor Malibu for owners Jump Sucker Stable and Oak Bluff Stable. A son of Malibu Moon, Governor Malibu earned his first career victory last out with Lasix for the first time winning by 6 lengths on November 15 at Aqueduct. 5-2 on the morning-line, Governor Malibu will depart from post 6 with Manny Franco in the irons.
Completing the field is Taoiseach for trainer James Ryerson and Blue Sapphire Farm.
Source: NYRA Communications
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