- I'd wondered aloud about Todd Pletcher's plans to run Any Given Saturday in the Blue Grass three weeks before the Derby, and he has now indeed changed his mind. The Tampa Bay Derby runner-up will forego a rematch with Street Sense, and run in the Wood on Saturday here at the Big A instead...and instead of Circular Quay. Pletcher expressed his usual sentiments - "And now he’ll have four weeks from his final prep to the Derby. The extra week should be beneficial." [Daily Racing Form] - and this makes much more Street Sense in the Universe of Todd.
But Circular Quay will now train up to the Derby, which means he will have had eight weeks off. Oh man, heaven help us all if this colt wins. We'll see major Derby preps being moved earlier as fast as are the presidential primaries.
“I know I’m going against what’s stated that you can and can’t do.....but giving horses more time generally has worked best for my horses. Watching him train, I thought it would be best to train him up to the Derby, rather than train him up to a big race like the Wood and come back another four weeks later for the Derby.”The trainer also told the Form, out with the story before its competitors once again, that Deadly Dealer is now a possibility for the Blue Grass rather than the Arkansas Derby.
3 Comments:
I heard something about HARD SPUN withdrawing from the Bluegrass, as well. Anyone know the status of this one and where he may be heading next, if anywhere?
The two best trainers this side of the Atlantic also happen to be great layoff plays because they train their steeds to run their best best 1st out and every race thereafter is not to improve but maintain the same edge of sharpness.
Pletcher is one of these trainers.
Eight week layoff, only two preps, no races beyond a 1 1/16 miles and having to pass between fifteen and nineteen horses in the stretch equals disaster. If Circular Quay wins the Derby Pletcher should be crowned king and the horse should be immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Lenny
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