Another Pletcher Trio Works for BC

Trainer Todd Pletcher was on hand Friday morning at Keeneland to oversee a trio of young horses preparing to make their respective next starts on Breeders’ Cup weekend.

Following the renovation break, the conditioner sent out Michael Tabor’s Thrilled (Uncle Mo) and Alto Racing’s Azar (Scat Daddy) , who breezed a half-mile in company over the Keeneland main track in :47.80. The duo was clocked in splits of :24 for the opening quarter-mile before galloping out strongly through another furlong. A debut winner over the Saratoga turf course, Thrilled was runner-up to subsequent GIII Jessamine S. winner Harmonize (Scat Daddy) in the P.G. Johnson S. at the Spa Sept. 3 and was most recently outnodded for the win by Tin Type Gal (Tapit) in the GIII Miss Grillo S. at Belmont Park Sept. 27. Azar, second to TDN Rising Star Unbridled Daddy (Scat Daddy) in an Aug. 16 maiden at Saratoga, graduated in the GII With Anticipation S. at the upstate New York oval Sept. 2 and was just a neck behind Isotherm (Lonhro {Aus}) when last seen in the GIII Pilgrim S. at Belmont Sept. 26.

Also working for Pletcher was Curalina (Curlin). Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, the GI Acorn S. and GI CCA Oaks winner went a half-mile in the company of Race Day (Tapit) and was clocked in :47.20 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 flat and six furlongs in 1:14.20. Curalina is targeting the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Race Day is not being aimed at the Breeders’ Cup and is expected to make an appearance in the GII Fayette S. Oct. 30.

“They all went extremely well,” Pletcher said. “The track was fairly lively after the break. They seemed to skip over it really well. I’m happy with all three.”