Pletcher Winners Staying at Keeneland For Now

Trainer Todd Pletcher extended his all-time record number of Keeneland stakes victories to 59 on Saturday with triumphs by Shadwell Stable’s Malathaat in the Central Bank Ashland (G1) and Starlight Racing’s Jouster in the Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association.

“They are all good this morning,” reported Amelia Green, who is overseeing Pletcher’s string at Keeneland that also includes Ghazaaly, winner of Saturday’s first race.

Malathaat earned a berth in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) with her victory. The Oaks will be run April 30, the same day as the $300,000 Edgewood (G2) that could be a possible spot for Jouster to return.

Pletcher said via text that Malathaat and Jouster would remain at Keeneland for the time being.

A half-hour after Malathaat won the Central Bank Ashland, Pletcher saddled Calumet Farm’s Bourbonic and Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Dynamic One to a 1-2 finish in the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct.

Pletcher has four horses in the top 20 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, including WinStar Farm and CHC Inc’sSainthood, who is stabled here following his runner-up effort in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 27.

In winning her first Grade 1, Malathaat ran down Pass the Champagne in the final yards to prevail by a head.

“I thought we had it won, but I know Todd has been very high on Malathaat,” said George Weaver, trainer of Pass the Champagne, who is owned by the partnership of R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, Black Ridge Stables and James Brown. “She is doing fine this morning and will ship back (to Palm Beach Downs in Florida) tomorrow morning.”

Weaver followed a similar pattern two years ago with Vekoma after he won the Toyota Blue Grass, returning to his Florida base before going to Churchill Downs Derby Week.