While Todd Pletchers Kentucky Derby struggles have been well-documented over the years, the New York-based trainer has been considerably better in the Belmont Stakes with two wins and four runner-up finishes in the last ten renewals of the race.
Pletcher’s 2016 Belmont Stakes hand could be particularly live with a pair of fresh and fast runners among the probable starters for the June 11 race. Destin and Stradivari comprise Pletcher’s two-headed Belmont monster with both runners appearing capable of pulling a mild upset against Preakness winner Exaggerator in the final leg of the Triple Crown. Both lightly-raced colts have recorded career-best Beyer Speed Figures that would put them on the wire with Exaggerator and both are aptly bred for the mile and one half distance.
Destin was oddly prepared for the Kentucky Derby where he finished a respectable sixth following a six-week break from his win in the Grade 2 Tampa Derby. The gray son of Giant’s Causeway figures to be much fitter after running a mile and a quarter on the first Saturday in May, and has shown good tactical speed in his races. With a Belmont field devoid of early speed, Destin could easily inherit the lead turning for home.
Stradivari projects as a potential pacesetter in the Belmont – a position that makes this talented colt extremely dangerous. Prior to finishing a fine fourth in the Preakness Stakes, Stradivari was an impressive gate-to-wire winner in a mile and an eight allowance race April 19 at Keeneland. In that win, the physically imposing colt displayed a strong and easy galloping style that figures to play very well in the Belmont.
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