Trainer Todd Pletcher is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame and has won just about every important race in the United States, but when it comes to the Kentucky Derby (G1), he has trouble getting it done.
Pletcher has won over 4,000 races in his career and has won the Eclipse Award for top trainer seven times. However, his record in the Run for the Roses is 1 for 43. He lost with his first 24 starters before Super Saver got the job done in 2010, but has been blanked with all of his starters since.
Could this year be different?
Pletcher will saddle two contenders, and while they are not among the top betting choices, both have a shot of pulling off the upset.
Destin is currently at betting odds of +1400, good for sixth choice in the wagering. The colt has won three of his five career starts.
The $400,000 Keeneland purchase is by Giant’s Causeway out of the stakes winner Dream of Summer.
The colt won the Sam F. Davis (G3) back in February and stamped his ticket to Louisville with his victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 12. His Beyer Speed Figure of 100 is the second highest last out number, with Exaggerator’s 103 for his Santa Anita Derby (G1) win the best.
Pletcher elected to give the colt some time off after his win and will be coming into the race off a 56-day break. Animal Kingdom won his Derby off a 42-day break, but this would be quite a feat to win off nearly a two-month break.
The colt will break from post 9 with top jockey Javier Castellano in the irons. The colt still appears to have some upside and is going to be a decent price.
Pletcher will also saddle Outwork, who drew post 15 and will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
The colt has just four career starts under his belt, the last a victory in the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct on April 9. Animal Kingdom won the 2011 Derby with just four starts, Big Brown with just three in 2008, but it is rare to win with such little experience.
The colt did start once as a two-year-old, but he went on the sidelines for 10 months before returning at Tampa Bay Downs to win an allowance race, then run second to stablemate Destin in the Tampa Bay Derby.
By Uncle Mo out of a stakes placed Empire Maker mare, he is bred to handle the 1 ¼ miles of the race and is currently listed at +1600 for the race.
Both of Pletcher’s runners deserve a look, and will offer decent value in the wagering.