Pletcher gives Pony Up a Belmont Stakes 2018 audition in Sir Barton

Trainer Todd Pletcher will be well-represented with 3-year-olds on the Preakness Day undercard with Teresa Viola and St. Elias Stables’ Coltandmississippi looking to continue a successful transition to the turf in the $100,000 James Murphy at a mile on the turf and Pony Up and Prince Lucky carrying the barn banner in the $100,000 Sir Barton to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Coltandmississippi, who was purchased for $400,000 at the Keeneland November 2015 Breeding Stock Sale, won two of his four starts in 2017 and opened his sophomore campaign with a third-place finish in the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. Following the colt’s distant fourth-place finish in the Withers (G3), Pletcher made the decision to try the son of Pioneerof the Nile on the turf and he responded with a sprightly third in the six-furlong Bridgetown on the Big A’s outer turf, beaten less than a length.

“He took to the turf well,” said Pletcher. “He's been running against some nice horses, and we thought had that race been further he might have gotten up for it all. We are looking forward to stretching him out and hope he can transfer his turf form to two turns.”

Pony Up, who had remained under consideration for the Preakness until Sunday, enters the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton off a respectable third in the Lexington (G3) on April 18.

“After discussing it with the Calumet folks we decided the Sir Barton was a better fit,” said Pletcher. “With the restrictions on the race he fits the conditions nicely. We are hoping to use it as a springboard to the Belmont Stakes.”

A son of Aikenite out of the A. P. Indy mare A. P. Petal, Pony Up had one victory and two seconds in three 2017 starts and finished second in the Kitten’s Joy in his first race as a 3-year-old. Fifth in the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, Pony Up next traveled to Turfway Park, where he was runner-up in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over a synthetic surface.

Prince Lucky, a homebred son of Corinthian owned by Daniel McConnell, won three of his four starts at 2, including a victory in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes, in which he drew away to win by 2 3/4 lengths. He was seventh in the Lacomte (G3) at the Fair Grounds as a new gelding, and in his first start for Pletcher improved his position to finish ninth in the Sunland Derby (G3) after being fractious in the gate.