Pletcher seeks firm ground for Hi Happy in Belmont's Knickerbocker

Scratching out of the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on September 29, La Providencia's multiple graded stakes winner Hi Happy will now headline the Grade 2, $200,000 Knickerbocker on Monday's Columbus Day holiday card at Belmont.

A 7-year-old Argentina-bred son of Pure Prize, Hi Happy posted back-to-back graded stakes wins in the Grade 2 Pan American on March 31 at Gulfstream Park and the Grade 1 Man o' War on May 12 at Belmont. He was third in the Grade 1 Manhattan before running a disappointing sixth in the Grade 2 Bowling Green at Saratoga and fourth in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on August 25 at the Spa.

Taken out of the Turf Classic due to the yielding turf condition last weekend, trainer Todd Pletcher said he is hoping to get Hi Happy back on track in the Knickerbocker.

"We're hoping for some firmer turf conditions," said Pletcher. "It was a little too soft in the Joe Hirsch and a mile and an eighth might be a tick shorter than the optimal distance for him, but I think he's versatile enough that if the ground is right, he can compete in any race from a mile and an eighth to a mile and a half. He's probably best going a mile and a quarter plus, but we've had to make some adjustments because of the weather and this might be our best option."

Hi Happy will depart from post 7 with Luis Saez aboard.

Winning an allowance race at Belmont only 11 days ago, multiple graded stakes winner Blacktype will look to defend his title in the Knickerbocker since winning last year for Jump Sucker Stable and trainer Christophe Clement.

Starting the year with a fifth-place finish in an allowance race on April 8 at Keeneland, Blacktype finished seventh in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy. Picking up an allowance win on July 5 at Belmont, the 7-year-old finished fifth in the Fasig-Tipton Lure on August 11 at Saratoga in her second to last start. 

"He won very well the other day on softer turf," said Clement. "We're really wheeling him right back and he looks good. I think it's fun race and we can reassess on Sunday morning to see if the horse is doing well and go for it."

Blacktype will be ridden by Joel Rosario from post 4. 

Rounding out the field is Revved Up, Night Prowler, Aquaphobia, Secret Passage, and Inspector Lynley.