Tags ‘Todd Pletcher’

The Friday Show Presented By The Match Series: A ‘Super’ Problem?

One of the issues in racing that's gotten quite a bit of attention in 2018 is similar partnerships owning several horses in a race. Much was made of the subject after some questionable tactics in the... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my webs... Read More...

View From The Eighth Pole: ‘The Saratoga Of The South’

They don't write races at 1 1/16 miles and a few jumps. If they did, Vino Rosso might have gotten the money and 10 Kentucky Derby points in Saturday's Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my websi... Read More...

Melnyk: From Weekends With Uncle Leo To Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame

Eugene Melnyk had never been inducted into a Hall of Fame before. Never. Finally, on Wednesday night, the 58-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my websi... Read More...

The Elephant In The Room: Racing Can Do More To Take Care Of Its Own

As the Thoroughbred industry makes another push toward federal legislation standardizing drug testing in racing, one of the central questions will be what reformed testing will cost. Expense is,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website f... Read More...

Pletcher gracious in defeat as Always Dreaming disappoints

DRF | 7 years ago
Just a few years ago, the disappointment would have been far more profound. But with American Pharoah having ended a 37-year Triple Crown drought with his sweep two years ago, perhaps it was a bit easier for racing fans and the connections of vanquished Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming to accept defeat Saturday in the 142nd Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Read More...

The Friday Show: Pletcher’s Year, Derby Handicapping Philosophies?

Trainer Todd Pletcher's high level of success in Thoroughbred racing is undeniable, but in recent years he's also come under scrutiny for his lack of accomplishment when it comes to the Kentucky... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website f... Read More...

The Friday Show: A Numbers Game, Hole In The Derby Trail?

It was a record-setting week at OBS March, with the 2-year-olds in training sale hitting all-time marks for gross and average, plus selling more than five horses at $1 million or more. In this week's... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my webs... Read More...

After Spike In Violations, Florida HBPA Seeking ‘Fix’ Of New Medication Rules

Twenty-one of the 50 trainers with the most starts at the 2015-16 Gulfstream Park championship meeting were served with administrative complaints for medication violations since new regulations went... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

‘Always That Next Goal’: Pletcher’s Take On The Derby And Career Achievements

Walking into Todd Pletcher's stable office at Churchill Downs is akin to entering a different world. Yes, there are race bridles hung neatly on the wall, and there are several win photographs and... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website ... Read More...

Being Todd Pletcher: A Day Behind The Scenes

Trainer Todd Pletcher has taken plenty of ribbing about his 1 for 43 record in the Kentucky Derby, but it’s only because he’s been so successful everywhere else in the sport. The winner of a record... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Rematch In Baltimore: Precedent For Stablemate Triple Crown Battles

Count me among the skeptics thinking Bob Baffert would not run Dortmund in the Preakness immediately after stablemate American Pharoah’s hard-fought win over Firing Line and Dortmund in the 141st... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

The Friday Show: Kentucky Derby 141 Edition

Based upon the early returns at Churchill Downs, there’s a chance this year’s Kentucky Derby will break another attendance record. And with good reason. The weather forecast is great,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Slumps, Speed, And Perfection: Challenges Loom For Derby Contenders

Santa Anita Derby winner Dortmund and Florida Derby winner Materiality don’t know that only seven of 24 horses who came to the Kentucky Derby with perfect records left Churchill Downs still unbeaten.... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Fashion Alert Proves Best in Schuylerville

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Fashion Alert made it 2-for-2 in stakes appearances, outfinishing Take Charge Brandi after a protracted battle to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville, the opening-day feature for the 146th meet at Saratoga Race Course.   Bumping with Evrybdymstgetstonz after breaking inwardly, Fashion Alert was quickly righted by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and took […](Read more...) Read More...

Princess of Sylmar Tops Delaware Handicap

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Princess of Sylmar, owned by King of Prussia Stable and foaled about 30 miles from Delaware Park, tops the 77th renewal of the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap on Saturday. The 1 1/4-mile, $750,000 filly and mare summer classic has attracted a field of six Last year, the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior won four consecutive […](Read more...) Read More...

Voss: Ten Things I Learned From the Welfare and Safety Summit

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation hosted its fifth Welfare and Safety Summit Tuesday and Wednesday, with speakers addressing everything from intra-articular joint therapies to injury... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for... Read More...

Tampa Bay Derby Draws 57 Nominations

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Vinceremos and Harpoon, the 1-2 finishers in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) on Feb. 1, head 18 Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds nominated for the 34th edition of the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs. Pletcher’s sophomores are among 57 horses nominated to the Tampa Bay Derby, the showpiece [...](Read more...) Read More...

Commissioner Gets Top Billing in Early-Season 3-Year-Old Race

It was only an entry-level allowance/optional claiming race with a purse less than $50,000, but a couple of horses in Friday’s ninth at Gulfstream Park in sunny Florida managed to warm the soul on a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Zaikov Returns Friday at Gulfstream Park

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Nine months after his impressive maiden victory, Zaikov returns to Gulfstream Park in an optional claiming allowance on Friday. The Arindel Farm homebred will break from post six of 10 under jockey Javier Castellano in the sixth race, going six furlong... Read More...

Al Shaqab Expansion Includes New Racing Advisor, Plans for U.S. String

Qatari Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani has appointed Harry Herbert, founder of the successful British racing syndicate Highclere, as racing advisor of his high-powered global string of Thoroughbreds... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my websi... Read More...

Pletcher’s Cigar Mile Contenders Work at Belmont

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Trainer Todd Pletcher’s three contenders for the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap – Forty Tales, Capo Bastone, and Verrazano – took to the Belmont Park training track on Sunday to turn in their penultimate breezes prior to the Nov. 30 race at Aqueduct. All three are 3-year-old colts who are seeking their first victory against [...](Read more...) Read More...

Weekend Recap: Palace Malice Stuns in Belmont Win

This weekend put closure on the 2013 triple crown with yet another year gone by without a triple crown winner. 36 years and counting. This year, we didn’t even have a horse with a chance at claiming the elusive prize. Not all was bad news.... Read More...

Forty Tales Scores in Woody Stephens Stakes

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Forty Tales rallied down the center of the track in deep stretch to score in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on June 8. Sent off at 8-1, the Tale of the Cat colt relaxed well behind brisk fractions of 21.99 and 44.73 seconds set by Let E... Read More...

Field of 14 Set for Belmont Stakes

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
When Kentucky Derby winner Orb and Preakness winner Oxbow meet in Saturday’s 145th Belmont Stakes, they’ll have plenty of company. A field of 14 was drawn Wednesday for the final jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, the biggest field for the 1 ½-mile race since 1996, when Editor’s Note defeated 13 rivals. Televised by NBC (5-7 [...](Read more...) Read More...

Pletcher May Bring Girl Power to Belmont

In addition to three confirmed Belmont Stakes starters in Palace Malice, Revolutionary, and Overanalyze, trainer Todd Pletcher may be sending a filly to the 1 1⁄2-mile contest. Unlimited Budget... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Day 7: 2013 Kentucky Derby Feature – Overanalyze

The 7th horse in our one feature a day leading up to the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is Overanalyze. Overanalyze – Trainer Todd Pletcher – Owner Repole Stable This Dixie Union colt had a successful debut to his career taking a five furlongs... Read More...

Forty Tales Prevails in Derby Trial

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Perretti Racing Stable’s Forty Tales held off Capo Bastone by a diminishing neck to win the 89th running of the $201,425 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on April 27. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Forty Tales was the fourth of five winners on the night for jockey Joel Rosario. “When we turned for home, I asked [...](Read more...) Read More...

Day 4: Kentucky Derby Feature – Revolutionary

The 4th horse in our one feature a day leading up to the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is Revolutionary. Revolutionary – Trainer Todd Pletcher – Owners Winstar Farms He finished 3rd in his debut at Saratoga last September after getting hammered at the... Read More...

Day 2: 2013 Kentucky Derby Feature – Verrazano

The second horse in our one feature a day leading up to the 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs is undefeated Verrazano. Verrazano – Trainer Todd Pletcher – Owners Let’s Go Stable, Michael Tabor, Michael, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith The three year old More... Read More...

Overanalyze and Vyjack Head Gotham Stakes

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Mike Repole’s Overanalyze and the undefeated Vyjack headline the field for Saturday’s 60th running of the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham at Aqueduct Racetrack. A major prep for the April 6 Wood Memorial and the Kentucky Derby one month later, the Gotham attracted a field of 12. The winner of the 1 1/16-mile Gotham will be [...](Read more...) Read More...

Graydar Captures Donn in Fourth Career Start

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Lightly-raced Graydar flashed speed and proved his class in winning Saturday’s $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The result can’t be regarded as a shocking development, but his three-length victory was nevertheless a remarkable achiev... Read More...

Stats & History Go Against Two Year Old Champion

It’s an interesting phenomenon why two year old male Eclipse Award winners don’t experience similar success at three as they did at the age of two. Some go on to win graded stakes races, but it’s quite rare for them to win the Kentucky Derby... Read More...

Kauai Katie Cruises in Forward Gal Stakes

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Stonestreet Stables LLC’s 3-year-old filly Kauai Katie was sent off the 3-to-10 favorite in Saturday’s $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Under jockey John Velazquez, she ran to her odds as she drew off to score by 5 1/2 lengths o... Read More...

Shanghai Bobby Gets Back to Work in Holy Bull

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Shanghai Bobby, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1), kicks off his 2013 campaign in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. A week after being named 2012 Eclipse champion 2-year-old in ceremonies at Gulfstream Park, the und... Read More...

2013 Holy Bull Stakes Continues Prep Season

The Kentucky Derby Prep Season has 13 races under its belt with six remaining. Of the first 13 races, just two horses have won twice. The first is Goldencents and the other is recently crowned two year old male champion Shanghai Bobby. The Harlan’s Holiday... Read More...

Violence Remains Undefeated With CashCall Futurity Win

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Violence became a Grade 1 winner in his third career start, remaining undefeated with a 1 ¼ length victory in the CashCall Futurity Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park. Giving shippers a sweep of the four Grade 1 events offered during the Autumn meet, ... Read More...

Pletcher Juggling Promising Juveniles

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Trainer Todd Pletcher has his hands full when it comes to juggling the respective schedules of his string of talented 2-year-olds being pointed to the coming year’s classic races. Pletcher needed to look no further than Shanghai Bobby to start making... Read More...

Promising Pletcher Juveniles Sweep Sunday Stakes at Belmont

Michael Compton | 11 years ago
Overwhelming favorite Kauai Katie picked up her second Grade 2 victory and remained perfect with a facile 7 ½-length in the Matron Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.  Two races later, stablemate Overanalyze completed the sweep of Sunday’s juvenile stakes... Read More...

Archwarrior Takes Care of Business in Career Debut

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Archwarrior made his anticipated debut on Thursday at Saratoga, comfortably dispatching his rivals in a maiden special weight race at Saratoga. Ridden by John Velazquez, Archwarrior is trained by Todd Pletcher and races for Alto Racing. The OBS graduat... Read More...

Turbulent Descent Wins Ballerina in First Start for New Connections

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Florida-bred Turbulent Descent notched her fourth Grade 1 win making the first start for her new connections in Friday’s Ballerina Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Purchased privately by Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith this summer and sent... Read More...

Tara From the Cape Wins Stakes Debut at Delaware

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Horses with Florida connections swept the top two spots in the Thomas Greene Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park on Thursday. Tara From the Cape, a daughter of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), remained undefeated in two career starts w... Read More...

Gemologist Works a Bullet Five Furlongs at Saratoga

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Gemologist worked Sunday morning for trainer Todd Pletcher at Saratoga in preparation for either the Jim Dandy or the Haskell Invitational next weekend. Going out just after the renovation break in company with Grade 2 winner Dominus, Gemologist breeze... Read More...

Kauai Katie Romps by 12 Lengths in Saratoga Debut

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
On opening day at Saratoga on Friday, Stonestreet Stables was represented by Kauai Katie, who romped by 12 lengths at first asking in the fifth race. Seeing the Stonestreet colors carried to victory by a promising youngster should be familiar to fans a... Read More...

‘Jersey Joe’ Bravo Enjoys Banner Day at Monmouth Park

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Jockey ‘Jersey Joe’ Bravo and trainer Todd Pletcher enjoyed a banner day at Monmouth Park on Saturday. They teamed to capture the Grade 1, $500,000 United Nations Stakes with Turbo Compressor less than a half-hour after winning the Grade 2, $200,00... Read More...

Gemologist Returns to Work Tab: Jim Dandy Next Target

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
WinStar Farm’s Gemologist on Sunday posted his first workout since his 16th-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 5. The winner of the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial in April at Aqueduct Racetrack, Gemologist wor... Read More...

In Lingerie Wins Black Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
In Lingerie proved much the best in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico Race Course on Friday. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber, In Lingerie stumbled at the start, but gathered herself quickly and settled nicely for John V... Read More...

Trickmeister Defeats Stay Thirsty in Vanlandingham Stakes

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Trickmeister got back in the win column on Thursday at Belmont Park, defeating Stay Thirsty in the $90,000 Vanlandingham Stakes. Away sharply under Ramon Dominguez, Trickmeister led the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.23 and a half in 45.72... Read More...

Monmouth Park Opens With Competitive Decathlon Stakes

Michael Compton | 12 years ago
Monmouth Park opens today with a 12-race program as sprinters take center stage in the Decathlon Stakes. All nine entrants are stakes winners with credentials to make noise in the opening day feature race. Among those entered in the Decathlon are the 2... Read More...