Daily Racing Form National Digital Edition
Pletcher has turf, dirt, Mother Nature covered
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It appears the New York Racing Association’s good fortune with the weather is about to end. At the worst possible time, too.
The racing office was able to card only eight-race cards Wednesday through Friday, and two of the eight races each day are scheduled for the turf. The forecast calls for approximately three-quarters of an inch of rain Tuesday, followed by colder temperatures later in the week that may just render the turf courses unusable until next spring.
However, forecasts can be inaccurate. As far as Wednesday’s first-level allowance feature for 2-year-olds is concerned, trainer Todd Pletcher seems to have it covered whether it’s run at a mile on turf, as scheduled, or on the dirt, as is likely.
On turf, Pletcher has Barbarossa, a New York-bred son of More Than Ready who rolled to an 8 1/2-length victory in a statebred maiden turf race going seven furlongs Oct. 18 at Belmont Park. Prior to that, he was beaten three-quarters of a length when second to Battle Station in a 5 1/2-furlong turf race at Saratoga.
“I thought both of his turf races were good, although on firm ground,” Pletcher said. “He was particularly impressive last time. As far as soft turf, you wouldn’t know until you tried him on it.”
On dirt, Audible looks like the one to beat. Audible, a New York-bred son of Into Mischief, is coming off a 1 3/4-length victory going a one-turn mile here Nov. 15.
“The original plan was to train him up to the Damon Runyon,” said Pletcher, referring to a one-turn mile stakes for New York-bred 2-year-olds on Dec. 30. “I figured, he’s doing well, let me put him in main track only just in case. He still gets 24 days to the Damon Runyon.”
Audible showed a good late run in his debut going 6 1/2 furlongs at Belmont, where he dropped back 18 lengths before finishing third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths.
“Like a lot of first-time starters, he didn’t break super sharp and as soon as dirt hit him in the face the horse retreated,” Pletcher said. “He ran very greenly the first part then finished up very well.”
Pletcher also has Call Me in this race. He claimed Call Me on Nov. 29 for $40,000, a race the gelding by Majestic Warrior won by 9 1/4 lengths. Pletcher said Call Me would run on either surface.
Looking Ready, trained by Bruce Levine, is likely to run on either surface. His lone win came on dirt, when he beat Sea Foam, who has since become a restricted stakes winner. Most recently, Looking Ready finished third in the Awad Stakes, a one-mile turf race Oct. 28 at Belmont.
Crea’s Bklyn Law, entered for the main track only, recorded his lone win from seven starts over a sloppy track at Delaware Park and, most recently, finished fourth in the Grade 2 Nashua.
With only eight races carded, first post Wednesday at Aqueduct will be 12:50 p.m. Eastern, 30 minutes later than usual.