USA TODAY International Edition
With four contenders, Pletcher holds another strong hand for Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE – Todd Pletcher-trained horses won an unprecedented four of the six major prep races for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, so it was inevitable that he would be asked whether this is his strongest hand ever for the Run for the Roses.
Pletcher couldn’t resist going into deadpan mode.
“Best since last year,” Pletcher replied.
On a misty Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs, Pletcher’s arrival was the topic of the day.
After all, he’s the defending trainer champion after Always Dreaming’s victory last year. And for what would be the sixth time in his career, he has at least four contenders for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday — Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon, Florida Derby champion Audible, Louisiana Derby titlist Noble Indy and Wood Memorial victor Vino Rosso.
“It’s a remarkably consistent group,” Pletcher said. “They all seem to show up and run well every time. With the exception of Vino Rosso’s Tampa Bay Derby, I haven’t been disappointed in any of them one time. They show up, they run hard and they’re adaptable to different pace scenarios. … It’s nice when you have a group that’s versatile in their running styles.”
Pletcher tied a record with five Kentucky Derby starters in 2007 and in 2013. He also had four starters in 2000, 2010 and 2014. He’s tied with D. Wayne Lukas for the most Derby starters in history at 48 apiece.
Pletcher might not have the favorite this year — a title likely to go to undefeated Justify — but he has four horses that all will receive major play at the betting windows.
Magnum Moon might have the most promise and could be the most visually impressive horse in the field. He didn’t race as a 2-year-old — Apollo in 1882 was the last Derby winner with that distinction — but is 4-for-4 this year.
“Magnum Moon is an impressive individual,” Pletcher said. “I can remember seeing him at my dad’s training center in December as a yearling when he was just starting to gallop, and he’s just one of those horses who has a tremendous presence about him. He gets over the ground really well. We felt going all the way back to then that he hopefully could turn out to be something special, and he has.”
Pletcher also provided insight on his other three contenders:
On Audible, who rallied from back in the pack to win the Florida Derby after being near the pace while winning the Holy Bull: “If they go fast up front, he’s fine settling back. If they go slow, he cannot let them get away from him. It was good to see.”
On Noble Indy, who is 3-for-4 in his career, the only blemish a third-place showing in the Risen Star: “He rerallied (in the Louisiana Derby), which you don’t see too many horses do that, even more seasoned and older horses. I think that showed a lot about him.”
On Vino Rosso, whom Pletcher said “finished up strong” in the Wood: “We think he wants the distance. The Wood Memorial was his first chance to go a mile-and-an-eighth, and if you look at his pedigree it really screams a mile-and-a-quarter to a mile-and-a-half.”
Pletcher said he’s hungry for a third Kentucky Derby win but added he feels less pressure after getting his second title last year. He won his first with Super Saver in 2010.