Winning turf bow sets up Emmanuel for Belmont Derby

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said WinStar Farm and Siena Farm’s Emmanuel could take the next step forward in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational on July 9, following a triumphant turf debut in Saturday’s Pennine Ridge (G2).

The bay son of More Than Ready led through every point of call under Irad Ortiz Jr., fending off late challenges from Napoleonic War and Limited Liability to win by one length while registering an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.  The top three finishers earned an automatic berth into the 10-furlong Belmont Derby, the first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomores.

“It looked like on paper he was the main speed of the race,” Pletcher said. “He broke sharply and put himself in a good spot, rating kindly. He had more when Irad called on him, so I thought it was a good performance.”

Pletcher indicated that the Pennine Ridge was used to see if the Belmont Derby would be a realistic goal.

“Part of the reason for running in the Pennine Ridge was to not only find out about him on the turf, but it’s a logical prep for the Belmont Derby. By finishing in the top three, it’s an automatic invitation,” Pletcher said. “I haven’t had a chance to discuss with (WinStar Farm CEO) Elliott (Walden) and the WinStar team, but I would certainly think that the race is high on the list of probabilities.”

Emmanuel only added to a highly prosperous stud career for More Than Ready, who was one of Pletcher’s first Kentucky Derby contenders when finishing fourth in 2000. The veteran stallion has produced champions in both hemispheres and on dual surfaces, having sired turf female champions Rushing Fall and Uni as well as dual sprint champion Roy H.

“More Than Ready is just a remarkable horse,” Pletcher said. “To have the longevity that he’s had and factoring in that he’s as successful or maybe even more so in Australia, it’s amazing what he’s been able to do for so many years. He’s a fantastic horse and it’s amazing how good he’s been to me and my family for so many years.”

Bred in Kentucky by Helen K. Groves Revocable Trust, Emmanuel is out of the unraced Hard Spun mare Hard Cloth, who is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning multi-millionaire Hawkbill. Emmanuel was purchased for $350,000 out of Gainesway’s consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Pletcher had stakes winners in dual states Saturday with Dynamic One adding a second stakes conquest to his resume in Churchill Downs’ Blame.

The 4-year-old son of Union Rags, owned by Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, finished in the money in both of his prior starts this year at graded stakes level. He finished second in last year’s Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct and 18th in the Kentucky Derby but captured the next-out Curlin at Saratoga.

Pletcher said Dynamic One would likely make his next start in the $750,000 Stephen Foster (G2) on July 2 at Churchill Downs or the $400,000 Suburban (G2) on July 9 at Belmont Park.

Grade 1-winning New York-bred Americanrevolution faded to fourth in the Blame in his first start since capturing last year’s Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) on Dec. 4 at Belmont.

“I think he just got a little tired the last part. It wasn’t an ideal set up for him, but hopefully a race under his belt moves him forward,” Pletcher said.