|
|
Pletcher trainees exit Saturday runs in good order Trainer Todd Pletcher had a slew of runners going in major events on Saturday, and many conducted themselves in a manner befitting their Eclipse Award-winning conditioner. Grade 1 winner CIRCULAR QUAY (Thunder Gulch) made his sophomore bow in the Risen Star S. (G3) on February 10, but lost all chance when swerving to miss a fallen jockey. On Saturday, the chestnut enjoyed a clean trip and posted an easy 2 1/4-length win in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and he came out of that event in good order. "I felt he ran a big race in the Risen Star, but unfortunately he couldn't win with all the trouble he ran into," Pletcher said. "Yesterday, he showed what he's all about." "This is the kind of horse it takes to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)," said assistant trainer Anthony Tamburino, who is taking care of Pletcher's Fair Grounds runners. "I've said all along that this horse had what it takes to win the Derby, and the way he ran yesterday justifies my faith in him. His running style is perfect for the Kentucky Derby." Circular Quay is tentatively scheduled to make his next start in the April 7 Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct. "The main thing is that it is four weeks out (from the May 5 Kentucky Derby)," Pletcher added. "I like that extra week." Another of Pletcher's Louisiana Derby Day runners, OCTAVE (Unbridled's Song), exited her second-place effort in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in good order as well. The gray lass captured last year's Adirondack Breeders' Cup S. (G2) and could go for her second stakes win in the April 7 Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland. "I think we're going to (Keeneland's) Ashland then the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with her," the trainer said. "She had been away a long time and ran very well, and she should be able to move forward off of that effort," Tamburino noted. At Aqueduct, COWTOWN CAT (Distorted Humor) kept the ball rolling with a 2 1/2-length victory in the Gotham S. (G3). The three-year-old chestnut was in tight quarters while splitting horses in the stretch, but still added a first stakes win to his record after running third in the Swale S. (G2) in February. "I liked his race," Pletcher said. "He relaxed beautifully, had no trouble shooting through a tough spot and finished well. He looked like a horse that wanted to stretch out." Cowtown Cat could hook up with Circular Quay in the Wood next out. "I spoke with (WinStar Farm's) Elliott Walden this morning and I'll also get the Gulf Coast people together to figure out what we're going to do next," he said. "The Wood is certainly a possibility." It wasn't just three-year-olds making noise for Pletcher on Saturday. MASTER COMMAND (A.P. Indy) posted his second straight graded win with a 3 1/2-length victory in the New Orleans H. (G2). In his five-year-old bow just one month prior, the chestnut captured the Mineshaft H. (G3) by six lengths. "Master Command ran a tremendous race yesterday," Tamburino said. "He's been doing exceptionally well this year." Tamburino said that most of Pletcher's trainees will ship back to Palm Beach Downs, but he was awaiting word from the conditioner on whether Circular Quay would be going back to California or head to Florida.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
