Promising 2-year-old Montauk not entering Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Photo: Susie Raisher/NYRA

Already listed by the Wynn Las Vegas as the second choice for the Kentucky Derby off a debut win, Todd Pletcher-trained Montauk won't step straight into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the Daily Racing Form reported Friday.

Montauk drew attention first as an $850,000 purchase as a 2-year-old, then backed it up Oct. 7 by winning a $75,000 maiden race at Belmont Park by 11 1/4 lengths. He's listed at 25-1 by the Wynn, behind only unbeaten 10-1 shot Bolt d'Oro, the overwhelming Breeders' Cup Juvenile favorite.

Pletcher considered throwing Montauk straight into the Nov. 4 Juvenile at Del Mar but made the decision after training Friday to hold him back.

Stakes nominations aren't yet available for Aqueduct's next test for aspiring 2-year-olds, the Nov. 5 Nashua, but the Grade 2, $200,000 race at a mile would be a logical move forward for the son of Medaglia d'Oro. The Nashua is also a potential spot for impressive Belmont Futurity winner Engage, a Chad Brown trainee.

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