Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a handful of workers early
this morning on the Oklahoma
training track, including Life At Ten, who is targeting next Sunday’s
Grade 1 Personal Ensign and Discreetly Mine, expected to head the field
for the Grade 1 King’s Bishop on the Travers Day undercard.
Also on the worktab was Quality Road, who will make his
next start in the Grade 1 Woodward on Saturday, September 5, and Malibu
Prayer, who is under consideration for the Grade 1 Ballerina next Saturday.
Life At Ten, who will carry a six-race winning streak into
her meeting with reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, worked in company
with Stopspending Maria, covering five furlongs over the sloppy track in
1:02.82, with NYRA clockers catching her galloping out in 1:15 3/5.
“We were looking for a little more from Life At Ten because
she is running 1 ¼ miles,” said Pletcher of the 4-year-old filly, whose most
recent victories include the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap and the Grade 1 Ogden
Phipps at Belmont Park. “She not only worked well, but galloped out extremely
well.
“She’s in very good form right now, and she’s obviously on a
winning streak,” he added. “I think her races this year have been better than
some have given her credit for, but I also think it’s a very, very tall order
to take on Rachel Alexandra.”
Discreetly Mine, an 8 ¾ length winner of the Grade 2
Amsterdam at the Spa in his most recent start, went an easy half-mile in 52.32
in preparation for the seven-furlong King’s Bishop.
“Most of them, we were just looking for routine
maintenance,” said Pletcher. “Discreetly Mine is obviously very fit, and we
were looking for a nice, easy half. He got over the ground well.”
Quality Road, who suffered his first loss of the year at the
hands of Blame in the Grade 1 Whitney, also went a half-mile, covering the
distance in 51.86, with opening splits of 13.50 and 26.50, coming home the last
quarter in 23.85.
“I was looking not to get off schedule with him,” said
Pletcher. “He seemed to handle everything well, and came back well. The track
was sloppy, but safe, and we caught it very early. It was either go, or not go,
and we went.”
Malibu Prayer, winner of the Grade 1 Ruffian at the Spa,
went a half in 49.91 as Pletcher and owner Edward P. Evans mull her next start.
Among the possibilities is the Grade 1 Ballerina on the Travers undercard at
seven furlongs, said Pletcher.
“I will speak with Mr. Evans in the next couple of days and
make a decision,” he said.
Pletcher added that Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver
came out of yesterday’s work in good shape as he points to the 141st
running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers next Saturday.
“I believe the Haskell has moved him forward,” said the
trainer. “And I would expect an improved performance from him in what appears
to be a wide-open race.”