By Karen M. Johnson
Trainer Todd Pletcher didn’t think his chances looked so great for Why Tonto to get in off the alternate list of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Oct. 26, so he entered the colt in the Oct. 21 King Cugat Stakes at Belmont Park.
“He’s 19th on the (alternate list), so it wouldn’t seem we are going to get in,” Pletcher said Oct. 19.
Why Tonto, a son of Indian Charlie, is among 23 horses pre-entered in the inaugural running of the Juvenile Turf. The field size is limited to 12. Eleven runners were designated as alternates.
Why Tonto, who is owned by Starlight Stables LLC and Paul Saylor, won the ungraded World Appeal Stakes on the turf at The Meadowlands Sept. 28. In his turf debut 20 days earlier, Why Tonto won a maiden race at The Meadowlands.
The $75,000 King Cugat will be run at one mile over the Widener turf.
