Pletcher back in Derby hunt after 1-2 Blue Grass finish
Todd Pletcher was in danger of missing the 2008 Kentucky Derby, but all that changed when Monba necked stablemate Cowboy Cal in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
Many of the top contenders threw in clunkers, and none more so than heavy favorite Pyro. His team is already blaming the Polytrack surface for his puzzling 10th place finish, and they may be correct. He could easily bounce back in three weeks, but he will be meeting of core group of sharper foes, and I would rather take a square price on a sharp horse than fair odds on a horse trying to rebound.
Nick Zito’s Cool Coal Man stalked and weakened from the inside, and I have to question his true talent and stamina at this point.
Big Truck weakened to 11th and looks to be out of serious Derby consideration, and Gotham hero Visionaire rallied to finish a non-threatening 5th.
The story of the day was Pletcher, and Monba is back on the beam after his Fountain of Youth debacle. He is now 2-2 on Polytrack, and it should be noted that he did win an entry level race at Churchill last November. $200k purchase has the pedigree to run all day, and with top connections in his corner, he seems to rate a longshot gander in three weeks.
Cowboy Cal ran a big race, but that was not surprising because turf horses seem to relish synthetic tracks. He looms a stalking presence at the very least if his connections opt to give the Derby a whirl.
Tags: Blue Grass, Cowboy Cal, Monba, Pyro, Todd PletcherRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Horses, Kentucky Derby, Stakes Races, Triple Crown
0 opinions for Pletcher back in Derby hunt after 1-2 Blue Grass finish
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: