Pletcher Works Woodward Trio

In addition to overseeing the potential final Travers breeze for Madefromlucky, trainer Todd Pletcher also supervised a trio of potential starters for the GI Woodward S. Sept. 5.

‘TDN Rising Star’ Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song), who ran too good to drop a gut-wrenching decision at the hands of fellow Rising Star Honor Code (A.P. Indy) in the GI Whitney S., turned in his first timed workout since that grueling runner-up effort Aug. 8, covering a half-mile in :48.25.

“He seems to have bounced out of the Whitney really well,” the trainer commented. “He’s been training great and worked well this morning. He seems full of himself.”

Also on the tab were Coach Inge (Big Brown) and Protonico (Giant’s Causeway). The former, who was rumored to be headed to Del Mar for Saturday’s GI TVG Pacific Classic, but instead remained in upstate New York, clocked five furlongs in 1:00.60. While Coach Inge, the GII Brooklyn S. winner, exits a runner-up effort in the GII Suburban H. July 4, Protonico, victorious in the GII Alysheba S. in May, was most recently scratched on the track ahead of the GIII Salvator Mile at Monmouth Aug. 2. He drilled five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.75. Despite similar prominent running styles, Pletcher has no misapprehensions about running both in the Woodward.

“I think the one thing we learned in the Brooklyn is Coach Inge doesn’t need to be on the lead to be effective,” he said. “Assuming that everyone starts that we think is going to start, I would imagine Liam’s Map is the most likely pacesetter and Coach Inge would be in a stalking position.”