todd pletcher Archives - The Conductor's Scroll

Throat Shot Thursday: The Conductor’s Plays at Aqueduct

on November 21, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Horses competing in a race at Aqueduct Racetrack with jockeys in colorful silks.

The Conductor doesn’t want a big day, he needs one. We will execute and we will thrive at Aqueduct. Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 6 Furlongs. (OFF Turf) F.S.MC 40000

#11 Happy Music (8/1) – 2^nd off the layoff this filly drops to the claiming ranks for the firt time and has been well bet vs tougher. She draws in as an MTO.

Race 2: 1 Mile. F.Clm 16000n2L

#2 True Prosperity (6/1) – She had a troubled trip last time and she gets back to a route today where she ran her best two back. She’ll run in the exacta at a nice number.

Race 3: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 50000s

#6 Overheated (10/1) – This girl stretches out to a turf route for the first time and this group is very average. Rosario has hit with some big prices riding for Ray Handal recently.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 70k

#2 Tan and Tight (6/5) – Keep it tight, keep it light.

Race 5: 7 Furlongs. F.Clm 25000n2L

*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 Abraxan (10/1) – She’s dropping to the claiming ranks for the first time and has run on turf and a sloppy track in her last two starts. Her form sprinting on a fast dirt track gives her every chance.

Race 6: 1 1/16 Mile. (Outer Turf) S.Clm 25000

#9 Whatawonderflworld (9/2) – Dropping to her lowest career class level, she ran very well last time vs tougher and looks to get a good setup today with pace to run at.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 100000b

#3 Chipolata (4/1) – This filly has the back class and figures to beat the favorite #2 Dream Passage (1/1) and will be a much better price. She’s also 1/1 over the Aqueduct surface.

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. F.S.MC 40000

#1 Maru (7/2) – She showed speed vs tougher in her debut and hung on for 3^rd. She can run this group off their feet.

The Conductor’s Friday Plays at Belmont Park

on October 4, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Horses and jockeys racing at Belmont Park, showcasing the excitement of a horse race with colorful silks and starting gates.

The Conductor’s got a nice feel for Belmont right now. Big Sandy better protect itself or it could get ugly. Very ugly.

Race 1: 6 ½ Furlongs. MC 20000

#4 Cavaradossi (7/2) – The Conductor doesn’t have a strong opinion here.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) F.S.Mdn 62k

#4 Tales I Winit (8/1) – Her debut race was rained off the turf and she had trouble from the start. She’ll take a big step forward on the lawn today and will be a big price for strong connections.

Race 3: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 25000

#2 Street Trust (5/2) – Chalk

Race 4: 6 ½ Furlongs. Clm 12500

#2 Scarf it Down (5/2) – Scarf it Down on Force Feed Friday? Never a Doubt.

Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) Clm 50000

#7 Go Poke the Bear (3/1) – He ran a strong late pace figure closing into a slow pace last time. He’ll get the job done today.

Race 6: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.S.OC 40000n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Short Pour (8/1) – She set a hot pace and fended everyone off in her 1^st try routing last time. The Conductor thinks she can wire them again. There will be no short pours in his house.

Race 7: 1 Mile. F.Mdn 75k

#4 Katama Moonlight (7/5) – She looks like a cinch today at Belmont.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) S.Mdn 62k

#3 Kierkegaard (7/2) – Dropping back into state bred company and stretching out for the first time, he’s run two solid races against quality fields.

Throat Shot Thursday: The Conductor’s Plays at Belmont Park

on October 3, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Horses racing at Belmont Park with spectators cheering in the foreground.

Great end to the day yesterday for the Conductor at Belmont Park….now we get to press! Let’s Ride.

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Race 1: 6 ½ Furlongs. MC 75000

#7 Mr Phil (5/2) – Nothing creative here.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) F.S.Mdn 62k

#5 Canarsie Angel (6/1) – Switching back to turf, her debut on the lawn was better than it looks, closing into a slow pace in a race that has comeback live. The Conductor will key her in the exacta and tri.

Race 3: 1 Mile. Clm 40000n2L

#6 Jerome Avenue (4/1) – #4 Always Forgiven (5/2) is the one to beat, but the Conductor likes this gelding as well. Cutting back to a mile, he stayed on while pressing a hot pace going longer last time.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Clm 30000n2L

#5 Noble Jewel (9/2) – The Conductor likes this filly cutting back to a sprint.

Race 5: 6½ Furlongs. F.S.C 25000

#1 Gray Witch (5/2) – Castellano takes the mount for Brad Cox and there is not much to like from the runners with experience. The Conductor is a little intrigued with #3 Our Craftys Legacy (30/1) on the class plunge.

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) F.S.Alw 66000n1x

*Underneath Uppercut #9 Alvernia (20/1) – She improved mightily in her 1^st time on grass last time. The winner of that race, O’Malley, just came back to win for the Conductor yesterday. She’s the Conductor’s key in the exacta and tri.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. OC 100000b

#1 American Tattoo (6/1) – He’s had some time off and is working well since his dud last time. His win two back and Argentinian form show the Conductor he has talent and the ability to rebound.

Race 8: 6½ Furlongs. S.MC 50000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Macho Boy (10/1) – He’s run well vs tougher at Belmont and was under pressure on a hot pace last time. He also gets a weight break today.

Force Feed Friday: The Conductor’s Plays at Belmont Park

on September 27, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

A vine-covered building with large arched windows and a crowd of spectators seated in front, surrounded by greenery and trees.

Another positive day at the track yesterday with a few nice winners. Too bad Green Bay’s defense stinks and they can’t score from the 1-yard line twice in the 4^th quarter. Idiots! The Conductor is chomping at the bit this morning. He’s ready to head into the weekend at Belmont in style, Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 1 1/16 Mile. MC 20000

#3 Dream’n Deamon (4/1) – This gelding has a monster early pace edge over this field. The low % jockey should keep his price high.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. Clm 25000n2L

#2 Bucked Tooth (6/1) – Throw out his turf try last time, his maiden breaker two back makes him very gangerous.

Race 3: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.S.Clm 25000

#4 Starlite Mission (5/1) – She’s taking a big drop in class and does her best running over the Belmont dirt. The Conductor will key her in the exacta.

Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.S.Mdn 62k

#2 More Glitter (3/1) – Bet down to favoritism in her debut, she ran ok sprinting on the dirt. She stretched out and moves to the lawn today, where she’s bred to take a big step forward.

Race 5: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Mdn 75k

#5 Turned Aside (5/2) – Linda Rice is deadly with 2^nd time starters and this colt ran a very good 3^rd in his debut, pressing a hot pace.

Race 6: 1 1/16 Mile. S.Alw 66000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #5 Irish Valor (8/1) – Throw out his last two efforts over a sloppy track and turf. In his race 3 back, he finished ahead of the even money favorite in here #4 Doups Point (1/1). 8/1 would be a delectable price for the Conductor.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) F.OC 62500

#2 Miss Mystique (5/1) – The Conductor thinks this filly has a big chance to wire this field at a decent price.

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) Clm 30000n2L

#1 Brockmoninoff (9/2) – 3^rd off the layoff and adding Lasix, the Conductor thinks he’s sitting on his top effort.

Throat Shot Thursday: The Conductor’s Plays at Belmont Park

on September 26, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Two racehorses competing on the track at Belmont Park during a horse race event.

Solid Wednesday for the Conductor, as he handed out the 50/1 exacta in race 6 on a platter and his gullet shot of the day ran 2^nd at 16/1 in race 3. If you couldn’t make money yesterday at Belmont, then the Conductor can’t help you. Start playing checkers or the violin. Let’s keep the train rolling, Let’s Ride.

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Race 1: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.MC 50000

#2 Days of Spring (6/5) – She’s dropping to the claiming ranks for the 1^st time and the race she’s exiting has come back live. There is nothing else to like in this field.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. Clm 14000n3L

#5 Gyoza (3/1) – He’s working well coming in off a layoff and looks to get a perfect trip from the outside.

Race 3: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) MC 50000

#5 Bail Out (3/5) – Chalk

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. S.MC 25000

#8 Sobersick N Sorry (6/1) – The Conductor is neither sober or sick and he will not apologize.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 35000n3L

#4 Clyde’s Runner (4/1) – He looks to get a perfect trip with a hot pace to close into.

Race 6: 5 ½ Furlongs. F.MC 50000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Lookn Fine as Wine (8/1) – This filly had a brutal trip in her Belmont debut. She switches to the dirt, adds blinkers, and Castellano takes the mount. Javier has only ridden twice for trainer Martin Carlos in the last two months and won both times.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 40000s

#5 Dream Passage (3/5) – Nothing creative.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Clm 30000n2L

#7 Fotis (9/2) – The Conductor doesn’t like anybody in here, its him by default.

Sabbath Sunday: The Conductor’s Prayers at Belmont Park

on September 22, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Horses and jockeys racing out of the starting gate at Belmont Park, showcasing a competitive horse racing event.

Saturday was a compete gambling debacle. Nothing more, nothing less. A weaker man would suck his thumb and lay rotting in bed while reevaluating his decision making. It takes a real warrior to get up the following morning, drink a stew and prepare to fire away with both fists at Belmont. That’s why he is the Conductor and we are passengers. Never Surrender! Let’s Ride.

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Race 1: 6 Furlongs. S.Clm 25000

#3 Summer Bourbon (4/1) – Mmmmhhmmmm bourbon.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) F.MC 40000

#9 Ghostly Beauty (8/1) – Moving into a higher % barn, her race at Belmont two back will give her every chance. Trainer David Duggan is 21% with a +$2.17 ROI this year 1^st off the claim.

Race 3: 6 ½ Furlongs. G2 Gallant Bloom Stakes

#3 Come Dancing (1/5) – Chalk

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) F.Mdn 75k

#1 My Happy Place (9/2) – The Conductor likes her steady progression and she’s bred to take to the furf just fine. The Conductor will be in his happy place today, his couch.

Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 62500n2x

#5 Reversethedecision (2/1) – This filly ran some very strong pace figures last year. With maturity, she’ll be tough to beat.

Race 6: 7 Furlongs. F.S.Mdn 62k

*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 Courted (6/1) – Trainer Jorge Abreau is 24% with a +$1.68 ROI with first time starters this year and this girls sire is winning at a 16% clip with debut runners. Castellano taking the mount also catches the Conductor’s eye.

Race 7: 1 1/8 Mile. (Inner Turf) S.Ashley T. Cole Stakes 125k

#3 Gucci Factor (5/2) – This gelding loves to win and Belmont Park.

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. F.Alw 77000n1x

#1/1A Entry (7/2) – The Conductor thinks both Cannizzo’s runners have a major chance.

Race 9: 1 1/8 Mile. (Inner Turf) F.S. John Hettinger Stakes 125k

#7 Wegetsdamunnys (8/1) – #9 Fifty Five (6/5) will be tough to beat, but the Conductor will key around this girl. She ran a good 4^th last time closing into a slow pace and will have every chance today with a more favorable setup.

Race 10: 1 Mile. (Turf) S.Alw 66000n1x

*Underneath Uppercut #6 Nutzforboltz (10/1) – He doesn’t like to win, but he should get a hot pace to close into and will be finishing late. The Conductor will key him underneath in the exacta and trifecta.

Force Feed Friday: The Conductor’s Plays at Belmont Park

on September 20, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Large crowd of spectators gathered at a horse racing event, observing the race on the track.

Not a great Thursday for the Conductor, but that’s why there is Friday. This is by far the best betting card at Belmont thus far this week. Don’t think, just keep throwing. Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 25000n3L

#2 Promise Me Roses (8/1) – You passengers don’t want roses, you just want the cash.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 32000

#6 Shimmering Moon (7/2) – 2^nd off the layoff today, she made an early move into a hot pace last start. She’ll be ready to roll here.

Race 3: 7 Furlongs. S.Bertram F. Bongard Stakes 150k

#2 Cleaon Jones (9/2) – He’s the best closer in the race and he should get a perfect trip with a hot pace to run at. The Conductor will key him in the exacta.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 77000n1x

#7 Restructure (2/1) – She’s very logical.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) OC 622500n2x

#11 Aquaphobia (6/1) – 3^rd off the layoff, he ran a strong late pace figure closing into a slow pace last time. With plenty of speed in this one, he should have every opportunity.

Race 6: 6 ½ Furlongs. F.Mdn 75k

#3 Comic (4/1) – This filly is posting bullet works at Belmont and trainer Rodolphe Brisset is 21% with a +$0.54 ROI this year with 2^nd time starters. Jose Ortiz stays aboard as well.

Race 7: 1 1/8 Mile. (Inner Turf) OC 100000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Devamani (9/2) – He got absolutely no pace to run at last time and has the best last kick in this group. He also gets back to his favorite distance today. The Conductor will hammer him at that morning line.

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) S.Mdn 62k

Underneath Uppercut #4 Imperio D (15/1) – This colt showed good early speed in his debut in a race taken off the turf. The Conductor sees him taking a big step forward on the lawn, where Rudy Rod wanted him to start. He will key him in the exacta and tri.

Sabbath Sunday: The Conductor’s Prayers at Belmont Park

on September 15, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

Two women wearing colorful hats reading a program at a crowded outdoor event, surrounded by attendees in various outfits.

We couldn’t get the prices around him, but the Conductor’s best bet #2 Amundson got the job done at 5/2 at Belmont Park yesterday. There is nothing better than Sundays in the fall. Ponies and football, Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 6½ Furlongs. F.Clm 16000n2L

#6 Peggy Sue (9/5) – This is an incredibly weak group of fillies.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) S.MC 40000

#8 Alphastest (3/1) – This colt just missed at this level two back and looks to get a favorable trip today alone on the lead.

#9 Clear the Ramp (15/1) – He’s a bomb the Conductor can get into the trifecta.

Race 3: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 100000n1x

#1 Chipolata (6/5) – This is bad betting race.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. F.S.MC 50000

#9 Top Hat Invasion (10/1) – This filly showed decent early speed vs tougher in her debut. She gets lasix today for the first time and is drawn well.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 35000n3L

#1/1A Entry (1/1) – Servis looks tough to beat.

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. Alw 77000n3x

#1 Off the Record (9/5) – Chalky.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Inner Turf) Mdn 90k

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Cardiff Cay (15/1) – This colt made a big early moved into hot pace in his debut. The no name trainer will keep his price high. The Conductor will key him in the trifecta.

Race 8: 6 Furlongs. S.Mdn 62k

#4 Dream Bigger (3/5) – He’s going to be tough beat based on his debut.

Race 9: 7 Furlongs. (Turf) S.OC 40000n2x

#2 Discretionary Marq (5/1) – This gelding set a hot pace and held on for a close 4th last time. He gets back to Belmont today where he is a different animal. He’s 5/8 over this turf course.

Race 10: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Clm 25000

#5 Fear (6/1) – Dropping in class, the Conductor will forgive this gelding’s last effort over a yielding turf course. He looks to get a good trip today forwardly placed and is tough as nails.

Force Feed Friday: The Conductor’s Plays at Belmont Park

on September 13, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

A jockey riding a chestnut horse during the 2018 Belmont Stakes race at Belmont Park.

It’s finally Friday at Belmont, Let’s Ride.

Race 1: 1 Mile. MC 30000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #2 Other Things Equal (5/1) – Cutting back 2^nd off the layoff and returning to dirt, the Conductor loves him here. He’ll be in good position early in a race without much pace and will be the Conductor’s best bet of the day at that price.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Turf) Mdn 62k

#5 Grudge (7/2) – The Conductor will never forgive.

Race 3: 1 Mile. F.S.Alw 66000n1x

#1 Nasty Affair (9/2) – She came from the clouds to nail them at the wire last start and ran a strong late pace figure. Trainer Linda Rice is a gaudy 40% this year with a +$1.13 ROI moving horses from a sprint to a route.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) F.S.Mdn 62k

#5 Strongerthanuknow (5/1) – She carried her speed a long way and had a troubled trip last time out. She’s also dropping back to the maiden ranks after facing stakes company.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 77000n2x

#3 Altea (2/1) – Chad Brown.

Race 6: 6 Furlongs. S.MC 50000

#3 Imperioso (9/5) – This colt is posting bullet works at Belmont and was only 3k at auction so the Conductor doesn’t mind his debut for a tag.

Race 7: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) F.OC 100000

#5 Jc’s Shooting Star (8/5) – She’s the only runner in the field with a victory over this turf course and she has 3

Race 8: 1 Mile. (Turf) Clm 50000n2L

#7 Scoreswhenhewants (5/1) – Dropping to the claiming ranks for the first time, this colt moved early into a hot pace last time and was a good 2nd. His breeding suggests he’ll be just fine on the grass.

The Conductor’s Wednesday Preview at Belmont Park

on September 9, 2019May 8, 2023 By The Conductor's Scribe

A large crowd of people gathered at an outdoor event, with various clothing styles and accessories visible.

Not a great day at Belmont yesterday for the Conductor. His best opinion was #4 Lucky Ramsey running in the exacta at 12/1 in the finale. He likes a few bombs Wednesday as well.

Race 1: 1 Mile. Mdn 75k

#2 Ajaaweed (7/2) – This colt ran evenly in his debut and is stretching out for the first time. Kiaran McLaughlin trainees usually take big steps forward in their 2^nd career start.

Race 2: 6 Furlongs. (Inner Turf) Clm 35000n3L

#6 Carot (9/2) – Dropping back to the claiming ranks, this colt has very fast early pace figures and his race two back at this track and distance will give him every chance.

Race 3: 6 Furlongs. F.S.MC 25000

#1/1A Entry – The Conductor likes both of these fillies.

Race 4: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 10000

#5 Tiz R Bella (6/5) – Chalk.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 30000n2L

*Gullet Shot of the Day #7 True Prosperity (20/1) – Stretching out to a route and trying turf for the first time, this girl is steadily progressing. Trainer Rory Huston has won with bombs recently with this move. The Conductor will key her in the trifecta.

Race 6: 1 1/16 Mile. F.S.OC 40000n2x

#1 Cartwheel (7/2) – She’s dropping in class at Belmont and shortening in distance after pressing a hot pace going longer. She looks to get a nice trip sitting behind a hot pace.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 80000n2x

#6 Fierce Scarlett (4/5) – Chad chalk.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.S.Mdn 62k

#10 Amos (20/1) – Returning to a route and trying grass for the 1^st time, she has good early speed and turf in her pedigree. Trainer Kelsey Danner is 2/10 with +$6.18 ROI this year moving runners to the lawn for the 1^st time.