Pleuven seeks second Wise Dan win

The last time a horse won two editions of this race, Churchill Downs named it after him.

Okay, Pleuven has a long way to go to live up to the accomplishments of two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who won the race formerly known as the Firecracker Handicap in 2011 and 2013. But Pleuven will attempt to join Wise Dan as the only two-time winners of the race when he starts in the Grade 2, $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes under the lights Saturday on the Churchill turf.

Pleuven edged Kasaqui by three-quarters of a length to win the 2016 Wise Dan, with Thatcher Street another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Those three veterans all return and again seem to be the key factors in the field of eight.

Pleuven lost to Thatcher Street in two stakes on the Churchill turf last year – he was edged by a half-length in the Opening Verse Stakes, a local prep for the Wise Dan, and by the same margin in the Grade 3 River City Handicap to end the season.

In his 2017 debut, Pleuven finished third by three-quarters of a length in a strong Keeneland allowance in which Projected edged multiple Grade 1 winner Divisidero by a nose. Pleuven then won this year’s Opening Verse by 2 1/2 lengths over graded stakes winner Take the Stand, with Thatcher Street third.

Corey Lanerie picked up the ride on Pleuven last fall from regular rider Channing Hill and has piloted him through his four most recent starts. He stays aboard Saturday for trainer Phil Sims.

Kasaqui has not found the winner’s circle since taking the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap last July but did finish a solid second in the Arlington Million, beaten a neck by Mondialiste. Kasaqui placed in two graded stakes to start 2017 for trainer Ignacio Correas but most recently was fourth in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.

Thatcher Street’s best asset is a fondness for the Churchill Downs turf; he has never finished off the board here for Ian Wilkes, who saddles two in this field. After concluding his season with the River City win over Pleuven and Grade 1 winner The Pizza Man, Thatcher Street started 2017 by finishing fifth in the same Keeneland allowance won by Projected before running third in the Opening Verse.

Chocolate Ride, a winner of four graded stakes, enters off an optional-claiming win May 18 at Churchill for the hot Brad Cox barn. His only loss this year came on yielding ground in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland. The field for the Wise Dan also includes Conquest Panthera, third in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile, and three-time Grade 2 stakes winner Blofeld, trying turf for the first time.

KEY CONTENDERS

Pleuven, by Turtle Bowl Last 3 Beyers: 99-99-99

◗ Owns the field’s top last-out Beyer Speed Figure.

◗ Is 4-2-2-0 on Churchill turf, all in stakes company, and 6-3-0-2 at this distance.

Kasaqui, by Lasting Approval Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-102

◗ The 102 Beyer he posted in finishing second by a neck in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay to start his season is the top mark for the year in this field.

◗ James Graham is aboard for the first time.