Pletcher Filly Romps In Off-The-Turf Maiden At Saratoga

When Todd Pletcher entered Miz Sense (Street Sense) in Sunday's first race at Saratoga, a maiden special weight race carded for a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf, he wasn't so much thinking grass. He wanted to run the Kentucky-bred in a route race, which they don't card during the Saratoga meet for 2-year-olds on the dirt. So when the race was washed off the turf course, Pletcher never hesitated to go ahead and run her in a race in which there were six scratches. It proved to be the right move.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Miz Sense sat fifth early before finding a open path on the inside near the top of the stretch. From there, she drew off from her five rivals to win by a comfortable 4 1/4 lengths. The race was run at one mile out of the Wilson Chute.

“She is a typical Street Sense filly, so we thought she wanted to run long,” Pletcher said. “We entered her to run on the grass but she wound up on the also-eligible list. We got lucky. With the rain the race came off the turf and were able to run her long first time out. I think this is the first year they've run the mile out of the chute for two-year-olds. I'm glad they did it because it worked out for this filly. This win gives us some options.”

Pletcher also sent out first-time starter Life's An Audible (Audible). The pair were sent off as the 6-5 betting favorite. Life's an Audible flashed early speed but faded late and finished fourth. She was beaten 21 1/4 lengths.

Miz Sense is co-owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable and was a $500,000 Keeneland September purchase. She was bred by Stonehaven Steadings.

#1A Miz Sense puts them away in the opener at Saratoga for trainer Todd Pletcher with @jose93_ortiz aboard! 🏇

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/9UFSWyGUS8

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) July 30, 2023