Preakness possibility not typical Pletcher
Heading into Monday, the Preakness field projected at eight starters, and while the field looks to have grown to nine heading into Tuesday, the shocking news is that the newest 3-year-old to apparently throw his name into the fold hails from the Todd Pletcher barn.
Circular Quay worked at Belmont Park on Monday in company with stablemate A.P. Arrow, and Pletcher has indicated that a final decision will be made on Tuesday concerning his status.
Such a late change is far from ordinary for Pletcher, and the fact the result would be one of his runners coming back on just two weeks rest makes the audible all the more intriguing.
Circular Quay was making his first start in eight weeks in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished sixth. Also returning after a start in Louisville on May 5 are Curlin, Hard Spun, and Derby hero Street Sense.
Entries will be taken on Wednesday for the Preakness, with the draw held at the ESPN Zone at 4:30pm on ESPN2.
2 Responses to “Preakness possibility not typical Pletcher”
Circular Quay should benefit from his Derby run. He was a “short horse” off the 8 week layoff. In fact he really only completed 1 prep for the Derby. After taking up to avoid Slew’s Tizzy in the Risen Star, all he did was canter home passing tiring horses. It was essentially a “non race” for him. If he goes, I think Quay is a contender.
I don’t know that I would buy that CQ was a “short” horse… but certainly would have liked to have a bit more recency to him heading into the Derby.
Pletcher confirmed this morning that CQ is definite, which makes him extremely dangerous. You can count on one hand the number of times Pletcher changed plans in favor of running as opposed to the other way around.
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