Where will Scat Daddy and Quay run next?

Its going to be very interesting to see where these horses show up next and polytrack will hhave an impact on it.
I'm sure that they want the easiest Grade One spot they can find with Scat Daddy so he can be cemented as a sire prospect.
WIth Quay, hes already a sire prospect and has his grade one win.
But the problem is that the Keeneland race that might have been used as a prep for one of them is now conducted on polytrack. I find it unlikely that either owner wants his horse prepping on that stuff for the BC and in Scat daddy's case risking what may be the best chance for a grade one win before they stretch out to two turns.
So other than the Champagne(which is spaced too close to the BC for either horse with only 3 weeks rest between and a trainer who doesnt like running them off 3 weeks rest) which in itself isnt ideal, what does he do with them?
I think he will choose to train CQ up to the race because his pedigree and running style suggest the two turns won't be an issue and that he runs Scat Daddy in the Champagne in order to get him a grade one asap.
Anyone have any scenarios which make more sense?

[my miss storm cat]

From TT.....


Pletcher plots course for Circular Quay, Scat Daddy


Trainer Todd Pletcher has decided on a tentative route to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) for Circular Quay and Scat Daddy, who finished first and second, respectively, in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) on September 4 at Saratoga Race Course.

Pletcher said Tuesday that he plans to run Circular Quay in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (G1) on October 7 at Keeneland Race Course and Scat Daddy in the Champagne Stakes (G1) on October 14 at Belmont Park.

"That's the most likely scenario," Pletcher said. "It's not etched in stone."

Trainer Bernie Flint said Unbridled Express, the third-place finisher in the Hopeful, would probably start next in the Breeders' Futurity.

The Champagne also is still on the agenda for Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) winner E Z Warrior, said Sobhy Sonbol of owner Zayat Stables. The unbeaten Exploit colt has not raced since the Hollywood Juvenile on July 4.

Zayat is pointing Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) winner Point Ashley to the Oak Leaf Breeders' Cup Stakes (G1) on September 30 at Santa Anita Park.

Trainer Scott Blasi indicated Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) winner Chace City may not race again this year. The colt is not injured, Blasi said.

"We're going to just train him and see, but we might not run him back until next year," Blasi said.

Blasi is undecided on plans for Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner Appealing Zophie, who worked four furlongs in :51 on Tuesday at Churchill.

Blasi also worked Kauai Calls, a promising Fusaichi Pegasus filly who covered five furlongs in 1:03 at Turfway Park in preparation for the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes on September 30.

Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stable purchased Kauai Calls for $2-million at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale.

Blasi also trains the impressive maiden winner Tiz Wonderful for Jackson. The Tiznow colt scored a 12 1/2-length win in his debut on September 2 at Saratoga.—Jeff Lowe

[zippyneedsawin]

If TP is trying to avoid the polytrack, his options are certainly limited for these two when taking race timing into account as a prep for the BC Juvy. Scat Daddy's only real shot at a GI before the BC looks like the Champagne. And CQ's only realistic race to enter before the BC is the Kent. Cup Juvenile at Turfway Park.. Looks like CQ trains up to the BC almost for sure and I don't know what he'll do with Scat Daddy(my guess is he does run in the Champagne).. of course this is all assuming TP wants to avoid the poly and shipping out west.


Best races left before the BC I could find:


Futurity Stakes (GII) on Sept. 23 at Belmont 7f

Kentucky Cup Juvenile(G. III) at Turfway Park on Sept. 30 8.5f

Lane's End Futurity (GI) at Keeneland on Oct. 7 at 8.5f (polytrack alert!)

Norfolk(GII) at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 8.5f

Champagne (GI) at Belomnt Oct 14 8f

I would have wagered that Scat would be the one to go in the Champagne. A flat mile suits him and his style and they need that grade one win.
I really don't know how thrilled Tabor, et al will be about running CQ on a surface like Poly. I don't really like him being asked to run on that stuff.

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I would have wagered that Scat would be the one to go in the Champagne. A flat mile suits him and his style and they need that grade one win.
I really don't know how thrilled Tabor, et al will be about running CQ on a surface like Poly. I don't really like him being asked to run on that stuff.

They'll probably keep CQ wide and just let him runand see what happens.. at least it's supposed to be a safe surface!

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I would have wagered that Scat would be the one to go in the Champagne. A flat mile suits him and his style and they need that grade one win.
I really don't know how thrilled Tabor, et al will be about running CQ on a surface like Poly. I don't really like him being asked to run on that stuff.

Why don't you like it? If he doesn't take to it you find out now and if nothing else it should reduce his soreness coming out of the race and have him healthier for the BC Juvy.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I would have wagered that Scat would be the one to go in the Champagne. A flat mile suits him and his style and they need that grade one win.
I really don't know how thrilled Tabor, et al will be about running CQ on a surface like Poly. I don't really like him being asked to run on that stuff.

I believe that Tabor has no problems with polytrack due to his dealings with Biancone who loves it. Based upon what we have seen from CQ and polytrack, they should be a perfect match.

[Round Pen]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

I believe that Tabor has no problems with polytrack due to his dealings with Biancone who loves it. Based upon what we have seen from CQ and polytrack, they should be a perfect match.

That's exactly what I was thinking heck Biancone had 30 to 40 horses at Turfway all Summer with a big part of them belonging to Tabor and Co.

I'm wondering if Joel still wants to express thoughts that Scat Daddy will win the BC Juvenile.
The three weeks rest is a real tough thing to overcome and Pletcher himself has expressed reservations about running a horse on short rest.
I think hes making the right play, he actually owns some of that horse and getting him a grade one win is crucial to make him a sire. I think hes more interested in winning the Champagne with Daddy than he is anything else. I don't know that he would even run him back in the BC Juvenile on anything less than a stellar win.

Originally Posted by Round Pen

That's exactly what I was thinking heck Biancone had 30 to 40 horses at Turfway all Summer with a big part of them belonging to Tabor and Co.

I suppose but if I were them I wouldn't risk tarnishing his record or form with an experiment on that stuff. I think I'd just train up to it.

Originally Posted by oracle80

Its going to be very interesting to see where these horses show up next and polytrack will hhave an impact on it.
I'm sure that they want the easiest Grade One spot they can find with Scat Daddy so he can be cemented as a sire prospect.
WIth Quay, hes already a sire prospect and has his grade one win.
But the problem is that the Keeneland race that might have been used as a prep for one of them is now conducted on polytrack. I find it unlikely that either owner wants his horse prepping on that stuff for the BC and in Scat daddy's case risking what may be the best chance for a grade one win before they stretch out to two turns.
So other than the Champagne(which is spaced too close to the BC for either horse with only 3 weeks rest between and a trainer who doesnt like running them off 3 weeks rest) which in itself isnt ideal, what does he do with them?
I think he will choose to train CQ up to the race because his pedigree and running style suggest the two turns won't be an issue and that he runs Scat Daddy in the Champagne in order to get him a grade one asap.
Anyone have any scenarios which make more sense?

I'm not so sure that Scat Daddy won't florish around two-turns more so than Circular Quay.....remember, horses with that sort of closing burst around one-turn are usually more 'trick' type horses than anything....most people think, "Well, he'll LOVE the stretchout and added grpund" - and he indeed may, but more so than not, when they can close that strongly from the clouds around one-turn they are 'niche' horses - one-tun closers - and those horses can get two-turns but tend to flatten out in their closing punch....I could see CQ trailing 10 lengths back in his route debut and running evenly all the way around the oval and not making up much ground in the stretch...these types fool people ALL the time...

Keep in mind, his dam - Circle of Life - was best at around 7 panels around one turn...food for thought although I know that he is a Thunder Gulch and bred to run all day on the topside...

Scat Daddy, on the otherhand, looks like a horse who should relish the 1 1/16 miles of the BC Juvy....he is more handy than the other horse and that is why I'm sticking to my guns that he will be better around two-turns with stalking type trips.....we'll see...

Good point about the Grade 1 though....I'm sure Todd wants to try to get a G1 under Scat Daddy's belt ASAP as a 2YO....

To be honest with you, I'd be surprised to see Pletcher run either of these colts at Keeneland over that Polytrack...I realy would because he is a smart trainer and knows that they could react negatively with a bad start over that surface.....I will bet he avoids KEE and runs one of them in the Champagne (I bet he runs Circular Quay) and trains the other one directly up to the BC Juvy, which is what I think he'll do with Scat Daddy....or he may run them together in the Champagne again...who really knows....

[Revolution]

there are other 2yr olds. remember that principle secret, tiz wonderful, nobiz like shobiz, chace city, city snitch and other are going to show up somewhere. there are more than just these 2 2yr olds. i would not go giving either race to these horses.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I suppose but if I were them I wouldn't risk tarnishing his record or form with an experiment on that stuff. I think I'd just train up to it.

I hear what you are saying but he is not going to stay undefeated forever with that running style and the poly will give Pletcher an out if he loses.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Revolution

there are other 2yr olds. remember that principle secret, tiz wonderful, nobiz like shobiz, chace city, city snitch and other are going to show up somewhere. there are more than just these 2 2yr olds. i would not go giving either race to these horses.

Chase City wont be showing up soon.

[Round Pen]

[quote=Cunningham Racing]I'm not so sure that Scat Daddy won't florish around two-turns more so than Circular Quay.....remember, horses with that sort of closing burst around one-turn are usually more 'trick' type horses than anything....most people think, "Well, he'll LOVE the stretchout and added grpund" - and he indeed may, but more so than not, when they can close that strongly from the clouds around one-turn they are 'niche' horses - one-tun closers - and those horses can get two-turns but tend to flatten out in their closing punch....I could see CQ trailing 10 lengths back in his route debut and running evenly all the way around the oval and not making up much ground in the stretch...these types fool people ALL the time...

QUOTE]

Great Point we were Just talking about this the other day.

Tabor actually loves PolyTrack. He has said it repeatedly. Now I also know that Pletcher doesnt mind running his horses (1st or 2nd string) on the surface either. I have spoken with Pletchers person down at Turfway several times. Now, running CQ on Poly wont have an effect on his value at all. The Lanes End is the best prep for CQ. CQ will come out of the race in good shape and he will actually be a fitter horse.

Scat Daddy should go in the Champagne and the if he performs well then he should get a shot at the BCJ.

[jpops757]

I think he will send Daddy to the Champagne for the gr1 and probably pass the BC to keep them apart for the rest of the year. A lot of you feel that the extra distance plays to Daddy so its logical to pass the BC and get him ready for The ROSES. I disagree. CQ hasnt even been tested yet.He just blows them all away.

I really cannot see Pletcher opting to skip the BC Juvenile with Scat Daddy...I really can't...The only way this horse skips thgat race is if he is injured or not right in some way....

I would train him up to it, and run Circular Quay - an accomplished one-turn closer - in the mile and-a-sixteenth, one-turn Champagne....

Although i'm obviously knowhere qualifieed to make that statement in truth...Pletcher will do the right thing..

[jpops757]

Maybe a beter question . Do they both knock heads at GP or does he ship to FG Oaklawn, Aqu or GPwest {Tampa} with one. Also wondering about some of his others, if he will run them through conditions or jump up to lesser Graded stakes trying to keep them apart. With his depth, it looks like he could have a small string at Oaklawn and or FG for there earlyTC preps.Im thinking it would be beter to train at these tracks than to ship. Im sure Assmusen will have a string at all three.

[sumitas]

i'm with euro and pletcher on this one. CQ in Lanes End, SD in Champagne. CQ is bred heavy on Northern Dancer 3 crosses, Raise A Native 3 crosses, and Native Dancer 6 crosses. This is not a sound breeding and maybe he is showing the bad effects of it allready. Thus the race on poly to save him some wear and tear.