Bsharpsonata, a multiple stakes-winning homebred for John Sykes’ CloverLeaf Farm II, has been transferred to the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher.
Formerly trained by the Maryland-based Tim Salzman and his father, John, Bsharpsonata arrived in Pletcher’s Saratoga barn last week.
A 3-year-old daughter by Pulpitout of the Affirmed mare Apasionata Sonata, Bsharpsonata has not raced since finishing eighth and last as the favorite in the Black-Eyed Susan (gr.II) at Pimlico May 16. A winner of $490,410, the versatile Bsharpsonata has won six of 12 starts. She captured last year’s Selima on the turf at Laurel Park and this year’s Forward Gal (gr.II) and Davona Dale (gr.II) at Gulfstream Park. She was a game runner-up in the grade I Ashland at Keeneland, where she was beaten a neck by Little Belle. Bsharpsonata also won the Tropical Park Oaks on the grass at Calder on New Year’s Day.
Before running in the Black-Eyed Susan over a muddy strack, Bsharpsonata finished fifth in the Kentucky Oaks (gr.I) at Churchill Downs in the slop. She broke from the outside post in a 10-horse field in the Oaks, set the pace, and was beaten six lengths by the winner, Proud Spell.
Matt Lyons, general manager for CloverLeaf Farm II, said Bsharpsonata was turned out at Woodford Farm, a breeding farm owned by Sykes, near Versailles, Ky., after the Black-Eyed Susan.
“She had a long campaign and we wanted to give her a freshening,” Lyons said. “We are hoping for a strong fall campaign.”
Lyons said no race schedule has been mapped out for Bsharpsonata, who resumed training when she arrived in Pletcher’s barn.
“She will tell us when she is ready,” Lyons said. “Of course with all nice horses you would like to get to the Breeders’ Cup. We are looking forward to getting that first grade I win with her.”
Lyons said the Salzman continue to train “six or seven” horses for CloverLeaf Farm II.
“They did a great job with B sharpsonata,” Lyons said.