Sainthood to Belmont Derby; Happy Saver to Suburban
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Sainthood returns to the winner's circle after the Pennine Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park
The May 29 Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3) did not end up being the turf debut that Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher had in mind for Sainthood when inclement weather forced the nine-furlong test onto the main track. Nevertheless, the son of Mshawish recorded his first graded stakes triumph.
Since finishing 11th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) earlier this month, the bay colt breezed twice on the grass. His anticipated turf debut will come in his next start however, as he is targeting the July 10, $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T), the first leg of the Turf Triple series in New York for sophomores.
Owned by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club, Sainthood broke his maiden over the main track at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots en route to a runner-up finish in the March 27 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over the all-weather surface at Turfway Park.
"I talked to (WinStar Farm president, CEO, and racing manager) Elliott Walden after the race and felt like the Belmont Derby is probably the logical place to point," Pletcher said Sunday. "He still has to prove himself on turf but judging by the way he ran on synthetic and the way he breezes on the turf, he should take to it. It's a big race and we have the option of going back to the dirt down the road, but we'll focus on the turf for now."
Pletcher said Wertheimer et Frere's Happy Saver will return to graded stakes action in the July 3 Suburban Handicap (G2), a Breeders' Cup "Win And You're In" event for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Happy Saver wins an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park
The son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver , also trained by Pletcher, made his 4-year-old debut a winning one Friday against salty allowance company going a one-turn mile at Belmont Park. The conquest kept last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner's undefeated record intact at a perfect 5-for-5.
A start in the historic 10-furlong test could result in a rematch with Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) winner Mystic Guide , who previously finished second to Happy Saver in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and also is targeting the Suburban.
"He came out of it in good order, I thought he ran well off the bench," Pletcher said. "We didn't have him fully cranked up, so being able to come back and win off the layoff off sort of a moderate worktab was good. Hopefully, he'll move forward off that, the Suburban is on the radar. Timing wise, it's good, he's bred to go a mile and a quarter and obviously has already won at that distance. That's the most likely target."