Pletcher readying runners for upcoming stakes engagements

Among those who will be taking aim at Flintshire in the Turf Classic is Al Shaqab Racing's Group 1 winner Ectot, who in his first two North American starts was fourth in the Lure on August 6 and second in an optional claimer going 1 ½ miles on September 4 at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher.

"We're hoping with that [last] race under his belt, it will get him that much fitter, and hopefully a little more relaxed early on," said Pletcher of the 5-year-old British-bred son of Hurricane Run, who counts the 2014 Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel and Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau and the 2013 Group 1 Criterium International and the Group 3 Prix des Chenes among his European victories. "It's a very tough race with Flintshire in there. His form from Europe at one time was very good. He's shown us at times in his training he's still got some great races in him. We're hoping that one of those will be Saturday."

Also representing the Pletcher barn on Saturday will be KRA Stud Farm's J.S. Choice, a maiden winner last out at Saratoga who is targeting the Grade 3 Pilgrim at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The Congrats colt finished fifth of 10 in his first start at the Pilgrim distance after being steadied early and going five-wide into the stretch.

"I thought he ran very well in his second start; he was sneaky good in his first start," said Pletcher. "Good win, finished up well, and hopefully it's the kind of race he can build on."

Multiple graded stakes winner Off the Tracks, most recently fourth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Prioress, will be stretching back out to 1 1/8 miles in the Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame on Saturday. The 3-year-old Curlin filly, third in the Grade 1 Test in August after contesting a hot early pace, won the Grade 1 Mother Goose at 1 1/16 miles and was a close second in the Grade 1 Acorn in her two previous starts at Belmont.

"We were kind of trying to figure out what to do with her at Saratoga," said Pletcher. "She did well in the Test, set some very fast fractions before tiring late, which was understandable. We made a decision to go shorter in the Prioress; it was probably a little too short for her. Considering she ran well in the Acorn and won the Mother Goose we felt like this was the logical next step."

Among those she will be facing are Grade 1 Apple Blossom winner and likely favorite Forever Unbridled, Grade 1 Test winner Paola Queen, Rachel's Temper, Penwith and Tiger Ride.

Looking further ahead, Pletcher said that eye-catching maiden winner Theory, who returned to the worktab September 20 for the first time in a month, remains under consideration for the Grade 1 Champagne but is more likely to make his second start in the Grade 3 Futurity on September 15.

New York-bred Syndergaard, winner of the Funny Cide at Saratoga, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 in preparation for a potential start in the one-mile Champagne.

As well, with St. Elias Stable's Grade 1 Spinaway dead heat winner Sweet Loretta training up to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, St. Elias's Grade 2 Adirondack winner Nonna Mela will represent the stable in the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on October 8, Pletcher added, while Gainesway's Cherry Lodge, third in the Spinaway, will go in either the Frizette or the Grade 3 Matron on October 16.

Source: NYRA Communications