Pletcher to Keep Always Dreaming in Draw Reins
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Photo: Coady Photography
Always Dreaming gallops in draw reins May 1 under exercise rider Nick Bush
Trainer Todd Pletcher said May 1 he plans to keep Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming training in draw reins the remainder of the week after getting satisfactory results from the equipment addition Monday morning.
Always Dreaming has been extremely aggressive during his morning training since arriving at Churchill Downs for the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), to the point that Pletcher said he didn't think he could give the son Bodemeister a 'walk' day for fear of him being even more fresh.
In an attempt to get the dark bay colt to settle down, Pletcher added draw reins when Always Dreaming headed out Monday and had veteran exercise rider Nick Bush take over in the saddle from Adele Bellinger, who had been galloping the colt.
Though Always Dreaming bucked a few times under Bush, Pletcher felt his charge settled down toward the latter portion of the training session.
"He's feeling good," Pletcher said. "Nick had him the whole way but he wanted to do a little more than Nick was going to allow him to do, so he sort of jumped a few times. I thought the last half of the gallop went really smoothly and he sort of accepted the draw reins. It was a controlled pace, which is what we were looking for.
"I think it will be better tomorrow. This was his first day in draw reins and sometimes it will take a day or two to adapt to them. But I thought it was good."
Pletcher said Always Dreaming has been more fired up than normal since arriving in Louisville, attributing his attitude in part to the busier environment compared to his previous base at Palm Beach Downs.
"He's not been this aggressive," Pletcher said. "Of course Palm Beach Downs is a different environment, different setting. It's pretty quiet. But he's been much more aggressive since he's been here. I'm hoping it's a sign that he's ready to run."
Owned by a large partnership that includes Brooklyn Boyz Stables and Teresa Viola Racing Stables, Always Dreaming turned in a bullet five-furlong move in :59 3/5 April 28 in his final breeze before the first leg of the Triple Crown.