Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is gearing up for the 40-day meet at Saratoga, which starts on Thursday and runs through Labor Day. Pletcher, who has topped the Saratoga trainer standings 14 times, is not anticipating a run for the training title this year. Instead, he will focus on his stakes horses and promising 2-year-olds.
“We’re kind of top-heavy with 2-year-olds. We’ve got stakes horses and 2-year-olds and not a lot in between,” Pletcher said. “I wouldn’t anticipate that we could vie for the training title. I don’t think we have a diversified enough stable.”
One of the most exciting 3-year-olds in the country, Mindframe has impressed in all three of his starts. The Constitution colt debuted with a dominant 13 3/4 length win on March 30 at Gulfstream Park and continued with a 7 1/2 length victory on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Despite his lack of seasoning, Mindframe nearly won the Belmont Stakes, finishing just half a length behind the speedy Dornoch. He is being pointed to the Grade 1 Haskell on July 20 at Monmouth Park as a stepping stone to the Aug. 24 Travers (G1). Mindframe has been working well at Saratoga, covering five furlongs at 1:00.40 last Saturday.
The enigmatic 3-year-old, Fierceness, has alternated wins and losses in his six-start career. Pletcher acknowledges that Fierceness is one of the most perplexing horses he has overseen, training brilliantly but sometimes underperforming on race day. After a dismal 15th-place Kentucky Derby finish, Pletcher gave Fierceness time to regroup, which he believes has benefited the colt. Fierceness is also pointed to the Haskell as a preparation for the Travers.
The improved 4-year-old, Kingsbarns, is coming off a solid victory in the June 29 Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs. Pletcher believes Kingsbarns has progressed since his 3-year-old season and expects him to be a major player for the rest of the year. Kingsbarns is likely to target the Sept. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga.
A full brother to Fierceness, Mentee is set to run in Saturday’s Sanford Stakes (G3) after an impressive debut at five furlongs. He led gate to wire, setting a track record with a time of 56.97 seconds at Aqueduct.
This New York-bred filly will compete in the opening day Schuylerville (G3) after breaking her maiden against state-breds on June 23 at Aqueduct. Named in honour of the late Carmen Barrera, she is a sentimental favourite and has shown promising training form.
Pletcher’s stable may not be as diversified this year, but with a strong group of stakes horses and 2-year-olds, he remains a formidable presence at Saratoga.