Pletcher makes stakes plans for Keen Ice and Neolithic
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Trainer Todd Pletcher said Keen Ice came out of his runner-up finish in Saturday's Grade 1 Whitney in good order, adding that he showed no ill effects from stumbling at the start.
Keen Ice, who finished 5 ¼ lengths behind winner Gun Runner, is now pointing toward the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on October 7 at Belmont Park, Pletcher said.
While Keen Ice might bypass the Grade 1 Woodward on September 2, Neolithic is targeting the 1 1/8-mile race on the main track following an allowance win by a neck at seven furlongs in Saturday's finale at the Spa. The win marked his return to North America after running third in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup, setting up a potential matchup against Gun Runner.
"I thought he ran well," Pletcher said. "He had a little freshening at WinStar and got a little sick when he first came back, so we had a tight schedule to get to that. I think he overcame a less-than-ideal schedule and not his preferred distance, but I was proud of him for putting in that kid of run.
"He kind of got pushed out a little bit but showed some real determination," he added. "We're going to move forward from that race and run a mile and an eighth, which is more in his wheelhouse. Gun Runner is very good, so we'll do the best we can."
Patch, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes third-place finisher, came out of his fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby Saturday without any issues, Pletcher said.
The trainer said hasn't made a determination for Patch's next spot, adding that he is waiting to see options after a difficult trip at Mountaineer Park.
The trainer said hasn't made a determination for Patch's next spot, adding that he is waiting to see options after a difficult trip at Mountaineer Park.
"Mountaineer is a funny track and I was a little concerned when he drew the 3 [post]; you don't want to be on the inside in that track," Pletcher said. "I thought he ran hard and tried hard, but it's a difficult assignment when you get stuck down inside all the way around there."
Pletcher said the situation for his 3-year-olds hasn't changed, with Belmont Stakes-winning Tapwrit still on target for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers presented by NYRA Bets on August 26.
Always Dreaming, the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner and third-place finisher in last week's Grade 2 Jim Dandy, and Outplay, the Bernardini colt who won the Curlin on July 28 at the Spa, will have their futures determined after next week's breezes, Pletcher said.
Always Dreaming, the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner and third-place finisher in last week's Grade 2 Jim Dandy, and Outplay, the Bernardini colt who won the Curlin on July 28 at the Spa, will have their futures determined after next week's breezes, Pletcher said.
"Tapwrit is definitely on schedule for the Travers and we'll see how Always Dreaming and Outplay work next week and go from there," he said.
Bal Harbour, who finished fifth in his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Sanford on July 22, will run in the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special on August 13, joining stablemate Tempestad.
Bal Harbour was second in his debut on May 12 and broke his maiden on June 8at Gulfstream Park before taking the step up in class at the Spa. He breezed four furlongs in 49.45 seconds on the Oklahoma dirt track Sunday.
"I thought he ran better than what it reads on paper in the Sanford," Pletcher said. "Especially the way the track was that time. He got shuffled around a bit and lost some ground on the far turn with all the kickback. Once he leveled off late, he put in a decent run. I thought he worked well this morning, so we should be good with him."
Fellow 2-year-old Tempestad, an Uncle Mo colt, won his debut on May 18 at Belmont Park and will be looking to go 2-for-2, racing at 6 ½ furlongs. Tempestad breezed five furlongs in 1:02.73 on the Oklahoma track Sunday.
"I thought he worked well; it was what I was hoping for," Pletcher said.
Pure Silver, a 2-year-old Mission Impazible filly, also worked Sunday, logging five furlongs in 1:02.65 on Belmont's training track. After starting her career with two straight wins, Pletcher said her graded stakes debut could come in the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack on August 12.
"We originally had her targeted for the Seeking the Ante [August 25], but she worked well this morning at Belmont and we're contemplating going to the Adirondack," he said.
Source: NYRA Communications
Source: NYRA Communications
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