Pletcher Trainees Out for a Saturday Stroll

DEL RAY BEACH, FL – A slew of trainees from the Todd Pletcher stable put forth timed works at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday morning, highlighted by graded stakes placed sophomores Gouverneur Morris and Portos.

Most recently fourth in the Florida Derby (G1), Gouverneur Morris posted a 4-furlong time of :49.50 in his first work back. He currently carries a record of 4-2-1-0 with $197,500 earned for co-owners Team Valor International and WinStar Farm, who purchased the son of Constitution for $600,000 at the March 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Gouverneur Morris was one of Pletcher’s most highly-regarded juveniles at the prestigious Saratoga meet last summer and broke his maiden while debuting on September 2. After finishing second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) next out, Pletcher gave him time off until he returned on February 14 to win a two-turn allowance event at Tampa Bay Downs.

Portos also worked for the first time since his last start, covering 4 furlongs in a best-of-19 :49.07 bullet. The son of Tapit was a late-running third in the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct to start 2020 but couldn’t muster that same turn of foot in the Louisiana Derby (G2), where he finished last in the field of 14.

The Wertheimer and Frere homebred needed four tries to break his maiden and currently sports a record of 6-1-1-2 with $93,900 earned. Like his stablemates, Portos’ next start is up in the air due to the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic that caused several tracks to temporarily cease operations and the Kentucky Derby (G1) to be postponed from May 2 to September 5.

One horse who may benefit from the extra four months to prepare is the undefeated Money Moves, who posted a 4-furlong time of :50.03. Purchased for $975,000 at the April 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sale by Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable, Money Moves did not debut until February 15, winning a 6-furlong event over a sloppy (sealed) Gulfstream Park main track.

Money Moves returned to Gulfstream Park on March 27 and defeated allowance/optional claiming foes while going 1 mile over a fast main track. The son of Candy Ride has earned $52,200 from his two starts and may step up to face stakes foes next time out.

Some of Pletcher’s other notable 3-year-old colts who appeared on Saturday’s worktab at Palm Beach Downs:

• Courage (4 furlongs in :50.08)
• Curlingo (4 furlongs in :50.08)
• Dr Post (4 furlongs in :49.50)
• Mystic Lancelot (4 furlongs in :49.99)
• Palm Springs (4 furlongs in :49.07)

Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice (Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017) and the Belmont Stakes (G1) three times (Rags to Riches in 2007, Palace Malice in 2013, and Tapwrit in 2017).