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Remember this guy?

posted by Justin Dew on April 03, 2008 Tags: , , , , , , ,
Todd Pletcher: (Photo by: Rick Schmitt)Todd Pletcher: (Photo by: Rick Schmitt)

As quiet as he has been on the Derby Trail this year, Todd Pletcher still has a chance to head to Louisville loaded and ready for war. But he will need a big weekend first.

In Saturday’s Wood Memorial, Pletcher sends out Texas Wildcatter and Spurrier in an attempt to not only knock off War Pass, but also to pad the graded earnings of his runners, both of whom need cash to make the Kentucky Derby field.

Out west, he has entered On The Virg in the Santa Anita Derby. That one has taken both of his starts this year, all around two turns over the synthetic surface.

His best bet of the weekend is probably Atoned, runner-up in the Tampa Bay Derby who is currently enjoying a streak of four consecutive second-place finishes. Atoned runs in the Illinois Derby.

Work with me here. Maybe War Pass has issues, and maybe Court Vision just isn’t as fast as some think. I’m not saying I agree with either statement, but I have to admit both are possible. So the Wood is winnable for one of Pletcher’s runners. And maybe the Sham took a lot out of El Gato Malo and Colonel John. Again, I like both runners on Saturday, but On The Virg could be ready to break through and hit the board, right? And while Atoned won’t be favored, should Denis of Cork stub his toe, the race is wide-open.

Bottom line: Todd Pletcher is down, but not out. While Nick Zito, Steve Asmussen, and Rick Dutrow are likely to grab most of the headlines and camera time during Derby Week, Pletcher is not going down without a fight. And with Monba yet to have his final prep, we could see as many as four Derby entrants from Team Todd.

And don’t forget, he won the last Triple Crown race.

Ignore him at your own risk.

I’m just sayin’.

(For the record, I seem to remember writing a similar blog entry last year, but, again, I am too lazy to go back and check. Either way, what can I say? History repeats itself.)

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Cdpotato4

04/03/2008 9:40 am

I will definitely be ignoring Pletcher on derby day. He is a choke artist.

However, I do like Atoned this weekend in the Illinois. I am not a big fan of Denis of Cork. I find his races the least bit impressive. I will be playing Atoned and Z Humor at Hawthorne.

Cdpotato4

04/03/2008 9:42 am

*do not find*

mike barker

04/03/2008 12:07 pm

I believe Pletcher has won the Illinois Derby like 4 times ...Atoned and Denis exacta box for me..

mike barker

04/03/2008 1:26 pm

$750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I), 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds, dirt
PP, Horse, Jockey
1. Texas Wildcatter, Eibar Coa
2. Spurrier, Stewart Elliott
3a. Court Vision, Garrett Gomez
4. First Commandment, Mike Luzzi
5. War Pass, Cornelio Velasquez
6. Roman Emperor, Jeremy Rose
7. Giant Moon, Jorge Chavez
8. Tale of Ekati, Edgar Prado
9a. Inner Light , C.C. Lopez
10. Anak Nakal, Alan Garcia

rimott

04/03/2008 10:24 pm

mike,
3 times he has won it. i think Atoned is a nice horse, but i don't like the fact that he has given up two clear stretch leads in his last two outings (Remson to Court Vision and Gothem to Visionaire). He is talented, but I'm not sure if he has the grit to win any stretch duels. I will bet Z Humor runs back to old form.

mike barker

04/03/2008 10:29 pm

Its his 2nd start back and i thought he ran good off the shelf....I wouldnt bet Z Humor hes another horse who is a flop as a 3 yr old....

mike barker

04/03/2008 11:39 pm

Pyro morning workout http://youtube.com/watch?v=GVoHec71PrA&feature=related

Cdpotato4

04/04/2008 9:38 am

Mike,

I have to give Z Humor a break. He has had a tough and awkward 3 year old campaign.

mike barker

04/04/2008 11:31 am

I have 2 quiestions for anyone to respond even Justin :) Has anyone ever read an article of Magna ever making money in like the last 10 years??? Every article i have read for like 5 years i mean serious the headline reads MAGNA LOSES ANOTHER 35 MILLION...They might need a financial advisor.....2nd question Aqueduct canceled today which is great for Keeneland and Gulfstream more money in the pools, but has anyone ever remembered a year when so many tracks were canceling...I go to Beulah when i dont wager at www.twinspires.com and i know there around 14 days canceled...There is no way sunny California tracks should be canceling right and left...Everyone should be on dirt on every track, if you dont like it run on turf ...Just my opinion,

Cdpotato4

04/04/2008 11:39 am

Agree Mike. Santa Anita really screwed up. Nice all-weather track.

I don't understand why they didn't just put in the polytrack. Keeneland and Turfway seem to be doing fine.

mike barker

04/04/2008 11:58 pm

Why cant they ever get it right ??????? http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2008/April/03/Time-d...

barryrmitchell

04/05/2008 5:26 pm

You guys know, the west coast boy's always have to do something different. We are "Hollywood" and full of glitter, back east guys play the safe cards as to what really works,

Sometimes it bites us in the lower parts, and sometime we can get away with it!

oh by the way, we have Joe T. man coaching the Dodgers, so we trying to become more eastern! Can't beat them , join them.

Well Colonel John is the west best hope!, his race was brilliant, He looks the perfect part for the long stretch at Churchill Downs and still improving.

I think CJ will love the surface? 7-1 or better on the tote board. NICE!

slot33

04/05/2008 10:57 pm

Definitely agree with you, Barry. There's lots to suggest that CJ will win the Derby. Have him at 18-1 between pools 1 and 2. May place more on him tomorrow if he's 8-1 or more. But there are 4 weeks til the Derby and you hold your breath hoping your horse stays healthy and makes the race. So I may hold back some. I think Pyro is legit and if he runs a good Bluegrass will take plenty of $$. I'm a BB fan after watching the FLA Derby. Tremendous run. But I do not think he will win the Derby. Just my opinion. So the more $$ he and Pyro take, the better for us CJ backers.

Jamie21

04/06/2008 9:39 am

I agree Barry on CJ but I still would like to see Pyro challenge him running for home..

rumped6

04/07/2008 3:59 pm

Right now, and of course depending on works and reports, and results from the two big races upcoming, I'm guessing 7-1 would be high. 5 or 6 would be my guess, especially if he's reported to work well in Kentuck.

rumped6

04/07/2008 4:03 pm

Todd Who???

mike barker

04/08/2008 8:33 am

If he cant win with the good ones how can he win this year???????