Wit Targets Hopeful Following Sanford Score

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher enjoyed a prosperous Saturday at both Saratoga and Monmouth Park in New Jersey, sending out graded stakes winners over both ovals.

While Pletcher was at Monmouth saddling Dr Post and Graceful Princess to respective victories in the Monmouth Cup and the Molly Pitcher at Monmouth, assistant Tristan Barry oversaw an impressive victory by rising star Wit in the Sanford (G3).

Owned by Repole Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Gainesway Stable, Wit has won both of his lifetime starts by a combined 14 lengths. After overcoming a slow start to win by 6 lengths in his June 5 debut at Belmont, he handled his graded stakes debut with flying colors in capturing the Sanford by 8 lengths. The triumph produced a 90 Beyer.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with his performance, and I thought he broke a little better this time,” Pletcher said. “He put himself in a good stalking position and used his very impressive turn of foot around the turn. He’s a very well behaved horse, very composed and mature mentally. He’s just one that, for whatever reason, is not super quick the first jump or two. It’s not a behavioral issue. We did our normal standing at the gate in between races. I thought he would improve just by having the start and he definitely broke more alertly and got bumped by the 2 (Candy Landing) a little bit, but was still able to get into the position we were hoping he could and went smoothly from there.”

Wit provided Pletcher with an eighth Sanford victory, with his success in the event dating back to 1999 winner More Than Ready – a subsequent influential sire. He also provided his freshman sire Practical Joke – a 3-time Grade 1 winner – with his first graded stakes-winning progeny.

Pletcher said the 7-furlong $300,000 Hopeful (G1) on September 6 at the Spa will be Wit’s likely next task.

“The Hopeful would be the next target,” Pletcher said. “I spoke to the connections a little bit after the race and that was everyone’s gut reaction. We’ll let the horse guide us, but that’s the logical next step.”

Bred by Rosilyn Polan, Wit was purchased for $575,000 from the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is out of the unraced Medaglia d’Oro mare Numero d’Oro.