Pletcher May Have 'Money' Weekend

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A big question this stakes-filled weekend is, how much money is Todd Pletcher going to add to his already ostentatious bankroll? Pletcher will send out 12 horses, most of them favorites or second choices, in 10 stakes at six different tracks. Nine of the 10 stakes have a gross purse of $300,000 or more, with two of them worth $1-million.

Pletcher looks to have Sunday's $1-million Delaware Handicap (gr. II) over a barrel with Fleet Indian and La Reason, who stand out in a sub-par field that includes three fillies that have already been trounced by Fleet Indian, the likely odds-on favorite

Pletcher also has a big chance in Saturday's $500,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) with the grade 1-winning Adieu, and will send out heavily favored Honey Ryder in the $300,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Handicap on the same card. The following day he will try to add the $300,000 Leonard Richards Stakes (gr. III) with Throng, unless he decides to run him in Saturday's $150,000 Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth, for which he also has been entered.

Down at Colonial Downs, Pletcher will saddle Manchu Prince and Roman Dynasty in Saturday's $1-million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), in which one of the favorites, Steppenwolfer, was scratched due to a fever.

Moving farther south, Pletcher will send out Friendly Island in Saturday's $500,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II) and G City Gal in the $300,000 Azalea Breeders' Cup (gr. III) at the Summit of Speed at Calder Race Course.

Heading up north to Canada, Pletcher can take home Sunday's $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, at Fort Erie with the improving Sterwins, runner-up in the rich Queen's Plate.

Moving to the Midwest, Pletcher's High Cotton will be the horse to beat in Saturday's $300,000 Ohio Derby (gr. III). And in New York, Pletcher will have one of the choices, Go Deputy, in Saturday's $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park.

Do the math.

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