The Todd Pletcher-trained trio of Fierceness (City of Light), Antiquarian (Preservationist) and Mindframe (Constitution) all visited the track Friday morning in preparation for upcoming starts in the GI Belmont S. held at Saratoga. 'TDN Rising Star' and Champion 2-year-old Male Fierceness marked his first work since finishing off the board as the favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby earlier this month. Working in company with stablemate Mindframe, the pair covered a half-mile in :50 flat over the Oklahoma training track, galloping out in 1:02 2/5, 1:14 3/5 and 1:28 2/5.
“I thought it was a very good work from both horses,” said Pletcher. “They seemed to be doing it well in hand coming to the wire. We kind of let Mindframe do a little more in the gallop out than Fierceness–he had a work last week, and he's more lightly raced. I was very pleased with both horses. It seemed like Fierceness was moving really well and did it easily.”
The GI Florida Derby winner got an extra week of rest off the Derby but Pletcher added that he was pleased with the colt's energy level at Saratoga.
“His gallops have been good and a couple mornings ago, he put in a big buck in the middle of the turn. He's such a quiet horse, sometimes you're not 100 percent sure where you are with him because he's so laid back and cool all the time. He's such an easy horse to train.”
According to Pletcher, Mindframe, who is undefeated in two starts thus far, is possible for the Belmont along with the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park.
“We haven't decided yet,” he said. “The Belmont is in play, the Pegasus is in play. We'll just survey how the race is shaping up and talk to the ownership and see what they want to do.”
Champion 2-Year-Old FIERCENESS works a half-mile to the outside of MINDFRAME a little while ago over the Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/6r2oaMksP9
— Mary Eddy🏇🏼 (@singmysongbird) May 24, 2024
Meanwhile, GIII Peter Pan S. winner Antiquarian, working in company with GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), also went a half-mile in :48.65 at Belmont Park.
“It was pretty even the whole way,” said Pletcher's New York-based assistant Amelia Green. “I got them in 12 [1/5], 24 [3/5], 48 [3/5], galloped out 1:01. It was a strong gallop out, 1:13 [1/5]. An eased down 1:26 [4/5]. Honestly, he did it very impressively on this track.”
G1 Belmont Stakes contender ANTIQUARIAN works a half-mile with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard outside likely G1 Acorn-filly CANDIED on the Belmont dirt training track pic.twitter.com/KKD4LnO9DC
— Christian (@c__abdo) May 24, 2024
A fourth Pletcher runner, Protective (Medaglia d'Oro), could also target the Belmont after running third in both the GII Wood Memorial S. and the Peter Pan. Protective breezed a half-mile Friday morning in :48.68 at Belmont.
“He breezed very well and he's doing well,” said Pletcher. “We're not committed to the Belmont, but we're not ruling it out either. We will assess how he's doing and how the field is shaping up and make a decision on entry day.”
Of his older horses, Pletcher noted that Whisper Hills Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Charge It (Tapit) would be nominated to both the GII Suburban S. and the GI Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan H., with preference to the Suburban while Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) would target the GI Stephen Foster S. at Churchill Downs June 29.
“We'll see how things shape up, but we're probably leaning towards the Suburban with Charge It,” said Pletcher. “Kingsbarns will probably wait for the Stephen Foster.”
For trainer Danny Gargan, Dornoch (Good Magic) hit the track Friday for his first post-Derby work as he continues to prep for the Belmont. The full-brother to last year's Derby winner Mage went a half-mile in :48.48 over the Oklahoma track.
“It was good,” said Gargan of the work. “I told them to go 49 and they went 48 and change. Three weeks after the Derby, I only want to work him twice. He did it pretty handily.”
Here is the routine and work from DORNOCH, who trainer Danny Gargan caught going a half-mile in 48 3/5 inside of RAMBLIN' WRECK. pic.twitter.com/mIBnrldWKO
— Mary Eddy🏇🏼 (@singmysongbird) May 24, 2024
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