Pletcher Holds Strong Hand in Remsen

[Wandering Eyes]

Todd Pletcher saddles a pair of strong contenders in this year’s GII Remsen S. at Aqueduct in Alpha Sixty Six (Liam’s Map) and Chase Tracker (Verrazano). Tabbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ in his debut win at Belmont Sept. 7, the $400,000 KEESEP purchase looks to rebound off a fifth after a slow start last time in that venue’s GI Champagne S. Oct. 5.

“We feel that he can run all day,” owner Paul Pompa said. “He missed the break in the Champagne. He ran incredible but he spotted the field six lengths and it’s hard to make up a lot of ground when you’re up against those type of horses. We watched his gallop out and he did so very well. The race won’t be a distance issue if he’s good enough.”

His stablemate Chase Tracker graduated by 3 1/4 lengths in his Parx unveiling Sept. 21 and rallied to be third behind the streaking Independence Hall (Constitution) in this venue’s GIII Nashua S. Nov. 3.

Don Alberto homebred Forza Di Oro (Speightstown) checked in second behind an impressive performance from Ajaaweed (Curlin) in his career bow at Belmont Sept. 11 and came back to earn his diploma next out there Oct. 26. The chestnut enters off a bullet five panels in 1:00 flat (1/8) on the Belmont training track Nov. 21. Shadwell homebred Ajaaweed comes into this off a fourth in the GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity S. at Keeneland Oct. 5.

“He’s doing very well. He shipped to Kentucky last time but didn’t ship really well and wasn’t quite himself for a couple of days,” Ajaaweed’s trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He came back here and has been training very, very well, and he’s ready. We think he wants a mile and an eighth, so all is well. He has a really good closing kick. Going a mile and an eighth, he’ll probably come from off of it [the speed].”

 

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