Friday Insights: Pletcher Has Strong Hand In Friday Action At Saratoga

[Wandering Eyes]

1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 7f, 12:20 p.m.

The second day of the Belmont at Saratoga festival continues with a strong opening race featuring China Horse Club homebred TRULLI WARRIOR (Curlin). Dam Alberobello, who CHC purchased as a yearling for $475,000, is related to a trio of 'TDN Rising Stars' in half-sisters MGSW/GISP Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile) and MSW/GSP J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday) along with full-sister GISW A Z Warrior. The 'Rising Star'-quality continues through the family with Jojo Warrior's son Under Oath (Speightstown) and A Z Warrior's daughter Key To My Heart (Ire) who produced a recent 'Rising Star' in Prides Crossing (Quality Road) along with SW Justa Warrior (Justify). Trulli Warrior will break from the rail for the Todd Pletcher barn and comes in off a best-of-152 work from the gate, going four furlongs in :46 2/5 at Belmont May 31.

Lined up in gate four, Illuminare (City of Light) is the second Todd Pletcher runner of the field. A $500,000 Keeneland September yearling buy for Centennial Farms, he is out of MSW I Still Miss You (Majestic Warrior).

Itza Mirrakle (Arrogate), a $575,000 Keeneland September yearling, debuts for Tom Morley and the ownership group of RAM-ZANOTTI Stables, West Paces Racing LLC and Curtis Green. He is the second foal out of MSW/GSP Justa Lady (More Than Ready) and from the final crop of the late Arrogate. TJCIS PPS

7th-SAR, $110K, Alw, 3yo/up, f, 6f, 3:46 p.m.

Race 7 features the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Munnys Gold (Munnings). A winner of her first three starts by a combined 28 lengths, she ran second in the GII Eight Belles S. and then finished twice behind Champion 3-year-old Filly Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) when fourth in the GI Acorn S. and third in the GI Test S. before going to the sidelines last year. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. stays aboard for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Robert and Lawana Low. TJCIS PPS

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