China Horse Club and WinStar Farm's Theory (Gemologist) exited his victory in Saturday's GIII Futurity in fine shape, according to trainer Todd Pletcher, but connections will take their time before deciding on the colt's next start.
“I spoke to Elliott [Walden, of WinStar] a little bit yesterday and figured we'd give it some time and get the horse back on the track before we firm anything up,” Pletcher said. “If he ran back on short rest, I think it would be the [Nov. 5 GI] Breeders' Cup [Juvenile]. Otherwise, [he would run] in the [Nov. 26 GII] Remsen [at Aqueduct] or the [Nov. 26 GII Kentucky] Jockey Club [at Churchill Downs.”
The Futurity was Theory's second lifetime start. He was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' after his 5 1/2-length debut win at Saratoga July 30.
Pletcher will be represented in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile by 'TDN Rising Star' Syndergaard (Majesticperfection).
Pletcher provided positive updates on a pair of Breeders' Cup contenders who worked at Belmont Saturday.
Al Shaqab Racing Racing and Gerard Augustin Normand's Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), who defeated Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) to win the GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S. turned in his first work since that Oct. 1 race, going a half-mile over the inner turf course in :49.09.
“He's a good work horse,” Pletcher said of Ectot. “He seemed happy to be back to work. I thought he breezed well. He looked good and came out of it in good shape this morning.”
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Curalina (Curlin), off since finishing second in the Aug. 27 GI Personal Ensign S., breezed five furlongs on the main track in 1:01.23. The filly could start next in either the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff or GI F/M Sprint.
“It's no secret that the Personal Ensign was tough race and everyone's come out of it and run well,” said Pletcher. “One of the reasons we haven't chosen which race is that complexion of both races changed significantly this last week, with Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) deciding not to go to the Sprint and Cavorting not going to the Distaff, so that's why we'll keep both races in play. I don't think it's really going to affect how we train her much until maybe her final breeze before.”
In the last two weeks, Forever Unbridled (Unbridled's Song) and I'm a Chatterbox (Munnings), third and fourth in the Personal Ensign, have each came back to post impressive victories in the GI Beldame and GI Spinster, respectively, and are both expected to target the Distaff.
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