Todd Pletcher

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency PRICEY INTO MISCHIEFS HEADLINE SPA BABY RACE 5th-SAR, $72K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 2:26p.m. Todd Pletcher unveils Shadwell Stable's $425,000 KEENOV buy MUTASAABEQ (Into Mischief) in this test. Out of a half-ssister to MGSW Cool Cowboy (Kodiak Kowboy), he enters off a best-of-50 half-mile in :46 2/5 at the Spa Aug. 1. Bob LaPenta and Peter Brant teamed up to acquire Bottle Rocket Man (Into Mischief) for $350,000 at KEESEP and he debuts here. His dam is a half-sister to MGSW & MGISP sire Munnings (Speightstown)...

Two years ago, when it was announced that legendary Calumet Farm was hiring Jack Sisterson as its primary trainer, there was skepticism. At just 33 years old, with only experience as an assistant to his name, it was fair to question whether or not Sisterson was prepared to carry the flag for such a powerful racing and breeding brand. Those questions have now been answered--resoundingly in the affirmative, as just a short while later, Sisterson has not only proved equal to the task, but appears on his way to the...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- George Weaver feels it. So do Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher and Shug McGaughey. Among the many new issues that Thoroughbred trainers across the country must contend with during the 2020 pandemic is a shortage of skilled staff. In recent years, it has become more difficult for horsemen to secure all the H-2B visas that they desire to legally bring foreign nationals into the country as guest workers. The arrival of COVID-19 in late winter closed U.S. consulates, compounding the problems, preventing visa holders from getting their...

Wertheimer and Frere homebred Happy Saver (Super Saver) made good on a flashy debut last month and handled nine panels at Saratoga like he was just getting going to garner the 'TDN Rising Star' moniker Sunday afternoon. The Todd Pletcher pupil aired by 5 1/2 lengths at first asking going seven furlongs at Belmont June 20, and was even-money against a solid-looking group of winners this time around. He broke alertly, but was out-footed into the first turn and took up a ground-saving spot in third. Ridden along to avoid...

Riding a two-race winning streak, Harrell Ventures' Halladay (War Front) will try to take it to the next level in Sunday's GII Bernard Baruch S. at Saratoga. Victorious in Gulfstream's Tropical Park Derby last December, the grey finished fourth--beaten two lengths--in the GIIII Tampa Bay S. Feb. 8 before returning with a three-length score in a one-mile Gulfstream optional claimer Apr. 4. Most recently, Halladay went gate-to-wire over subsequent GI United Nations winner Aquaphobia (Giant's Causeway) and stablemate Social Paranoia (Street Boss), who took the GIII Poker S. at Belmont...

7th-Saratoga, $72,000, Msw, 7-19, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.33, ft. LUCIFERS LAIR (f, 2, Quality Road--Devil's Cave {GSW & GISP, $379,430}, by Put It Back), co-favored at 5-2 for this unveiling for the always dangerous Todd Pletcher barn, proved well meant and professional to score comfortably at first asking Sunday. Out-footed by only longshot Stone Town (Tapizar) early, the Maryland-bred sat perched off of that foe's right flank through an opening quarter of :22.37 and began to wear the pacesetter down after a :45.97 half. She seized command in the...

Ed DeRosa of Brisnet.com takes on TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap Triple Crown prep races plus the big three races themselves. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets in the preps and $200 Win/Place bets in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Highest bankroll at the end wins. DeRosa - Peter Pan Result - Country Grammer got the money in game fashion. Bankroll: $4960. GI Haskell S. - Going to take a chance here with Jesus' Team, who is right in the mix with all other...

1st-SAR, $72K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:10 p.m. ET MO MISCHIEF (Into Mischief), purchased by Myracehorse.com and Spendthrift Farm for $500,000 after breezing a quarter in :21 at OBS March, makes his debut for Todd Pletcher. The 9-5 morning-line favorite is out of the multiple stakes-placed Montbrook mare Montessa G. "He's a horse that we really liked when we bought him," said Spendthrift Farms' General Manager Ned Toffey. "Saratoga is the best of the bests, it's where people love to unveil their 2-year-olds and you better have your big boy...

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law (Constitution) exited his win in Saturday's GI Belmont S. in fine shape and will now be pointed towards the Aug. 8 GI Runhappy Travers S. "He came out of the race great," said Robin Smullen, assistant to trainer Barclay Tagg. "He ate up and then he came out and grazed for an hour. His legs are good, his attitude and energy are good." Mapping out the next few days for the Belmont winner, Tagg said, "He'll walk for three days and we'll graze him every...

ELMONT, NY -- Shortened to 1 1/8 miles and to be contested free of spectators, the 152nd renewal of the GI Belmont S. kicks off a reshuffled Triple Crown Saturday. The winner will have to wait until the first Saturday in September for the GI Kentucky Derby, however, to continue a bid for what would have to go down as the most unique of sweeps if able to join the legendary previous 13 to do so. The series concludes with the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico Oct. 3. Welcome to...

A competitive field of five is set to line up Saturday for Belmont's GIII Wonder Again S. Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front) enters off a pair of wins and receives Lasix for the first time here. Off the board in and off-the-turf event at Monmouth in her Sept. 7 career bow, the dark bay graduated on the lawn at the Oceanport oval three weeks later. She closed out her juvenile season with a victory in Aqueduct's Chelsey Flower S. Nov. 3 and has been working steadily towards this sophomore bow. Robert and...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency WELL-RELATED FILLY DEBUTS IN 'EMPIRE' STATE 1st-BEL, $64K, Msw, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:15p.m. Gainesway's LOVE ON THE RUN (Empire Maker) makes her career bow in this spot for Bill Mott. Hammering for $425,000 at KEENOV, the bay is a half-sister to two-time Grade I winner Belle Gallantey (After Market). Bass Stables' Thankful (American Pharoah) makes her second start and first on dirt here for trainer Todd Pletcher. She finished ninth on her May 14 debut on the grass at Gulfstream after brushing the gates and...