Tom's d'Etat 'happy,' but not likely for Pegasus World Cup

In a conversation earlier this month with the Thoroughbred Daily News, trainer Al Stall Jr. quipped that he “opened my big mouth” too quickly about plans for Tom’s d’Etat when saying he’d freshen up the newly minted Grade 1 winner for a run at the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

At that point, Stall left option the option of another try at Gulfstream Park’s Pegasus World Cup (G1) set for Jan. 25.

Last year, Tom’s d’Etat entered the Pegasus off a victory in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Tenacious Stakes. A ninth-place finish in the Pegasus marked his only poor effort of a season that culminated with a victory in Churchill Downs’ Clark (G1).

Stall this week told Fair Grounds publicity, however, that Tom’s d’Etat is “happy and healthy,” but the trainer’s back to feeling no rush in getting G M B Racing’s 6-year-old son of Smart Strike to the races again.

“He’s just been doing some light training and jogging,” Stall said. “We don't have any plans for him yet. Maybe an early spring campaign, but as of now we’re just keeping him happy and healthy.

“He came out of the Clark great, and now he just needs to rest and stay a fresh horse. We’re excited about it.”

Tom’s d’Etat has overcome myriad physical issues to race at an advanced age, with the 2018 Tenacious marking his first stakes start after waiting out bone chips and a minor fracture as a younger horse.

With the Pegasus seemingly off the table, Tom’s d’Etat could resurface in races such as the New Orleans Classic (G2), formerly known as the handicap, at Fair Grounds; Keeneland’s Ben Ali (G3); and Churchill’s Alysheba (G2).

The 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic runs at Keeneland, where Tom’s d’Etat won the Fayette (G2) in October.