Pletcher updates targets for Tapit Trice, other stable stars

Tapit Trice returned to the work tab for the first time since finishing third in the Belmont Stakes on June 10, breezing a half-mile over the Belmont Park training track on Friday.

Guided through the move by exercise rider Fernando Rivera, the Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable-owned colt completed his four-furlong work in 49.90 seconds over the fast track.

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The sophomore Tapit gray was seventh in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs prior to his Belmont Stakes run and captured the Blue Grass (G1) on April 8 at Keeneland.

Both the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell on July 22 at Monmouth Park and the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy the following Saturday at Saratoga Race Course are likely next-out landing points for Tapit Trice, according to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Both are in play,” Pletcher said. “He had a nice easy breeze by himself this morning. He seemed happy and moving well.”

Pletcher added that Eclipse Award-winning stablemate Forte, who finished second in the Belmont Stakes, could have his first breeze since the ‘Test of the Champion’ next Friday.

Pletcher also sent Grade 1 winner Annapolis and graded stakes-placed Far Bridge to the inner turf on Friday morning. The pair went a half-mile in company in 49.86 seconds in preparation for their next respective outings.

The LSU Stables' color-bearer Far Bridge, a troubled second in the Pennine Ridge (G2) on June 3 at Belmont, is on target for the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on July 8.

Annapolis, a Bass Stable homebred, will point for the $175,000 Kelso (G3) on July 15 at Saratoga before a potential start in the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (G1) on Aug. 12 at the Spa. Both are one-mile turf events.

“Both went great. They were head and head the whole way and looked comfortable,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher added that Major Dude, a last-out winner for owner Spendthrift Farms of the Penn Mile (G2) on June 2 at Penn National, is likely for either the Belmont Derby or the $250,000 Manila (G3) going one mile at Belmont on the day prior.

The son of Bolt d’Oro is a three-time graded stakes winner, having captured the Pilgrim (G2) in October at Belmont at the Big A and the Kitten’s Joy (G3) on Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park. Through a consistent 10: 4-2-2 record, he has banked $714,895.

Pletcher also reported that 2021 New York Horse of the Year Americanrevolution will likely not make his 5-year-old debut until Saratoga. The son of Constitution has not raced since finishing second to Olympiad in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in September at the Spa.

Owned by CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm, Americanrevoution has breezed consistently through the month of June, and went five furlongs in 1:02.01 on Thursday over the Belmont training track.

“He breezed his first five-eighths yesterday so we’ve got a little more work to do,” Pletcher said. “We’ll resurface at Saratoga somewhere.”

Pletcher also stated that Repole Stable’s New York-bred Gambling Girl, a late closing second in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 5 at Churchill Downs, is targeting the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on July 22 at Saratoga.