For 21 years, trainer Todd Plecher helped build a TV rating for the Kentucky Derby by bringing dozens of top candidates to the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
Last week’s 151st edition of The Run for the Roses, Pletcher once again helped with the evaluation, but it was completely different and not so important.
This time he was not a participant.
He was part of a 17 million viewers who saw the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on television.
When Repole Stable’s Grande was scratched by the classic, he ended Pletcher’s amazing streak with the Kentucky Derby starter for the 21st year in a row, looking outside for the first time since 2003.
“It was certainly a little different. I went back to the hotel and watched the Derby on TV. It was different not being in the paddock. I didn’t do a walkover. 21 years after the tube.”
Pletcher also holds a record of 65 Kentucky Derby starters from 2000-24, of which 58 have run during their 2004-24 win streak. This is even more impressive as the two-time winner, the 3-year-old, Kentucky Derby winner, won a spot on the field by successfully completing the prep race, rather than simply narrowing it down to the back of the field.
“We had a good run,” Pletcher said. “I hope we can start winning streak next year.”
As for the Grande, the Wood Memorial Stakes, presented by Resort World Casino runner-up, is currently undergoing a series of tests at Lexington.
“The x-rays were good and the pet scans we did at Churchill Downs were good. I hope Dr. Bramlage would offer him another test.
Carlin’s son Grande was a veterinarian the day before the Kentucky Derby. At the time, owner Mike Repole said the 3-year-old was “batting a slight cracked heel that’s been improving this week.” Repole said he was “confused and confused” by the criteria veterinarians use to determine wounds.
Pletcher said Grande could be the Belmont Stakes on June 7th.
“Aside from Preakness, everything is playing for Grande. We’ll take him there (to Saratoga).
It was mainly great news for Pritcher with the 4-year-old trio of stars at the Kentucky Derby Weekend at Churchill Downs.
Mindframe, the Maryland son of the Constitution owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables, recorded his first Grade 1 victory in capturing the May 3rd Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford. At 1:40.66, a mile and a 1/16th sensory jet was announced.
On the downside, Pletcher’s Santa Anita handicap winner took a disappointing fourth place at Alysheba.
“They were two big wins there,” Pletcher said. “Getting Grade 1 for Mind Frame was great. We were excited about it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjnivq-ecnu
Light of Light’s sons Mindframe and First are both targeting the June 7 Metropolitan Handicap at Spa, with Hall of Fame trainers saying both could start with the famous one-mile showdown.
“The Met Mile plays for both. If they decide they need more time, Stephen Foster (June 28 at Churchill Downs) is a backup.
Pletcher said the locked lock came back from Alysheba Fine and was at a medium pace -:48.31 in half a mile, facing the Grade 1 winner, sixth and the last majority.
“The locked thing is back and looks really good. The way the track was playing that day made it difficult to close the impact from that distance,” Pletcher said. “It was a slow run first and everyone came back fast. It’s pretty unusual to set a track record like that. But when I analyzed the complexion of the race and how it unfolded, he was totally against it. His performance wasn’t all.
Pletcher said “It’s all on the table” because of the locked lock. This also includes Met Mile.
Locked, the son of a gun runner, is owned by Eclipse Solrbred Partners and Walmac Farm. Alisheva marked the first time he was not placed at the start of his nine careers.
