After a postponed Aug. 26 work due to wet track conditions, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Rags to Riches took another step back in her training program when trainer Todd Pletcher canceled an Aug. 27 workout due to the filly’s elevated temperature.
“She's acting perfect, she's bright, sharp and aggressive, but the thermometer's a little bit off," Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form.
The filly's temperature was approaching 102 degrees.
Pletcher told the Form that blood tests will help him decide when the filly will begin training again, and if she will run in the Sept. 8 Ruffian Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park. An alternative race would be the Sept. 15 Gazelle (gr. I) at Belmont.
Rags to Riches missed the July 21 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) at Belmont when she spiked a temperature, then was pulled up at the start of a five-furlong work July 22 and missed a week of training while undergoing a series of examinations at New Bolton Center.
The daughter of A.P. Indy has trained well since shipping into Saratoga July 31, working three times in the past month. She is undefeated in five starts this year and was the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes.
