Happy Saver Set for 4-Year-Old Debut at Belmont

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher expressed excitement for the 4-year-old debut of Wertheimer et Frere's undefeated Happy Saver , who is entered in Race 3 at Belmont Park May 28, a one mile allowance optional claiming event with a purse of $96,000.

The son of Super Saver   last raced in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) in October at Belmont, where he defeated subsequent Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) winner Mystic Guide . 

Following some down time at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., Happy Saver began working regularly at Palm Beach Downs in early April before shipping to Pletcher's division at Saratoga Race Course. His most recent breeze was a five-furlong work in 1:01.70 May 21 over the Saratoga main track. 

"I'm happy to get his season underway. Hopefully, we've done enough with him to have him ready, but I'm looking forward to getting him going," Pletcher said. 

Happy Saver will face a compact but salty field that includes stakes-placed Three Technique  and recent winner Locally Owned . 

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who has piloted Happy Saver to three of his four wins, retains the mount from post 2. 

Pletcher recently added a new member to his stable in Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' multiple grade 1 winner Mind Control , who is targeting the $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses July 4 at Belmont. The Nerud offers the winner a berth to the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar.

Mind Control, previously trained by Gregg Sacco, was seventh last out in the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1). He worked a half-mile in :48.30 on Belmont's training track May 22.

"The John Nerud is what we're targeting at the moment," Pletcher said. "He came to me in great shape and he's a very straightforward and good-training horse. He looks good."

Robert and Lawana Low's Spice Is Nice  made the grade in the Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series Stakes (G3) May 14 at Pimlico Race Course and Pletcher said the Curlin filly out of grade 1 winner Dame Dorothy is a possibility for the $300,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) June 26 at Churchill Downs, a challenge series event for the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Pletcher is expected to saddle Bourbonic , Known Agenda , and Overtook  in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 5. 

The veteran conditioner will also have a number of runners during the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival which kicks off June 3.

Pletcher said his Belmont Stakes Day lineup will include Valiance  in the $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), in which the winner receives a berth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff; as well as Ajaaweed , Portos , and Moretti  for the $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational Presented by Northwell Health (G2). 

Always Shopping  will target the $750,000 New York Stakes (G2T) June 4.